Selecting a memory for storage of an encoded data slice in a dispersed storage network

ABSTRACT

A method begins by a processing module receiving an encoded data slice for storage. The method continues with the processing module obtaining metadata associated with the encoded data slice and interpreting the metadata to determine whether the encoded data slice is to be stored in a first access speed memory or a second access speed memory, wherein the first access speed memory has a higher data access rate than the second access speed memory. The method continues with the processing module storing the encoded data slice in a memory device of the first access speed memory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speed memory and storing the encoded data slice in a memory device of the second access speed memory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the second access speed memory.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applicationwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for allpurposes:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/417,873,        entitled “DATA REBUILDING IN A DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK”,        having a provisional filing date of Nov. 29, 2010, pending.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems and moreparticularly to data storage solutions within such computing systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Computers are known to communicate, process, and store data. Suchcomputers range from wireless smart phones to data centers that supportmillions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day.In general, a computing system generates data and/or manipulates datafrom one form into another. For instance, an image sensor of thecomputing system generates raw picture data and, using an imagecompression program (e.g., JPEG, MPEG, etc.), the computing systemmanipulates the raw picture data into a standardized compressed image.

With continued advances in processing speed and communication speed,computers are capable of processing real time multimedia data forapplications ranging from simple voice communications to streaming highdefinition video. As such, general-purpose information appliances arereplacing purpose-built communications devices (e.g., a telephone). Forexample, smart phones can support telephony communications but they arealso capable of text messaging and accessing the internet to performfunctions including email, web browsing, remote applications access, andmedia communications (e.g., telephony voice, image transfer, musicfiles, video files, real time video streaming. etc.).

Each type of computer is constructed and operates in accordance with oneor more communication, processing, and storage standards. As a result ofstandardization and with advances in technology, more and moreinformation content is being converted into digital formats. Forexample, more digital cameras are now being sold than film cameras, thusproducing more digital pictures. As another example, web-basedprogramming is becoming an alternative to over the air televisionbroadcasts and/or cable broadcasts. As further examples, papers, books,video entertainment, home video, etc. are now being stored digitally,which increases the demand on the storage function of computers.

A typical computer storage system includes one or more memory devicesaligned with the needs of the various operational aspects of thecomputer's processing and communication functions. Generally, theimmediacy of access dictates what type of memory device is used. Forexample, random access memory (RAM) memory can be accessed in any randomorder with a constant response time, thus it is typically used for cachememory and main memory. By contrast, memory device technologies thatrequire physical movement such as magnetic disks, tapes, and opticaldiscs, have a variable response time as the physical movement can takelonger than the data transfer, thus they are typically used forsecondary memory (e.g., hard drive, backup memory, etc.).

A computer's storage system will be compliant with one or more computerstorage standards that include, but are not limited to, network filesystem (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), smallcomputer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer systeminterface (iSCSI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and web-baseddistributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV). These standards specifythe data storage format (e.g., files, data objects, data blocks,directories, etc.) and interfacing between the computer's processingfunction and its storage system, which is a primary function of thecomputer's memory controller.

Despite the standardization of the computer and its storage system,memory devices fail; especially commercial grade memory devices thatutilize technologies incorporating physical movement (e.g., a discdrive). For example, it is fairly common for a disc drive to routinelysuffer from bit level corruption and to completely fail after threeyears of use. One solution is to use a higher-grade disc drive, whichadds significant cost to a computer.

Another solution is to utilize multiple levels of redundant disc drivesto replicate the data into two or more copies. One such redundant driveapproach is called redundant array of independent discs (RAID). In aRAID device, a RAID controller adds parity data to the original databefore storing it across the array. The parity data is calculated fromthe original data such that the failure of a disc will not result in theloss of the original data. For example, RAID 5 uses three discs toprotect data from the failure of a single disc. The parity data, andassociated redundancy overhead data, reduces the storage capacity ofthree independent discs by one third (e.g., n−1=capacity). RAID 6 canrecover from a loss of two discs and requires a minimum of four discswith a storage capacity of n−2.

While RAID addresses the memory device failure issue, it is not withoutits own failures issues that affect its effectiveness, efficiency andsecurity. For instance, as more discs are added to the array, theprobability of a disc failure increases, which increases the demand formaintenance. For example, when a disc fails, it needs to be manuallyreplaced before another disc fails and the data stored in the RAIDdevice is lost. To reduce the risk of data loss, data on a RAID deviceis typically copied on to one or more other RAID devices. While thisaddresses the loss of data issue, it raises a security issue sincemultiple copies of data are available, which increases the chances ofunauthorized access. Further, as the amount of data being stored grows,the overhead of RAID devices becomes a non-trivial efficiency issue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing corein accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a distributedstorage processing unit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example embodiment of error coded data slicecreation in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of verifying encoded dataslices in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another example of verifying encodeddata slices in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of selecting dispersedstorage (DS) units in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of rebuilding an encodeddata slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating anencrypted partial encoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9C is a block diagram of a rebuilding module in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 9D is a block diagram of another rebuilding module in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating another example of rebuilding anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating an example of encrypting an encodeddata slice partial in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating another example of rebuilding anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11B is another flowchart illustrating another example of encryptingan encoded data slice partial in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating an example of assigning storageresources in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating an example of selecting storageresources in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13A is a flowchart illustrating an example of storing an encodeddata slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 14B is a flowchart illustrating an example of storing data inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 14C is a block diagram of a storing module in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 15B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 15C is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 16C is an algorithm illustrating an example of encoding data inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 16D is a processing module task map illustrating an example ofdetermining processing module assignments in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 16E is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 17C is an algorithm illustrating another example of encoding datain accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17D is a dispersed storage (DS) unit task map illustrating anotherexample of determining DS unit assignments in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 17E is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17F is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersedstorage (DS) unit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18C is a flowchart illustrating an example of retrieving an encodeddata slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 19A is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 19B is a flowchart illustrating an example of transferring anencoded data slice in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 19C is a block diagram of another storing module in accordance withthe invention; and

FIG. 19D is a block diagram of another storing module in accordance withthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computing system 10 thatincludes one or more of a first type of user devices 12, one or more ofa second type of user devices 14, at least one distributed storage (DS)processing unit 16, at least one DS managing unit 18, at least onestorage integrity processing unit 20, and a distributed storage network(DSN) memory 22 coupled via a network 24. The network 24 may include oneor more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or moreprivate intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one ormore local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of distributed storage (DS) units36 for storing data of the system. Each of the DS units 36 includes aprocessing module and memory and may be located at a geographicallydifferent site than the other DS units (e.g., one in Chicago, one inMilwaukee, etc.).

Each of the user devices 12-14, the DS processing unit 16, the DSmanaging unit 18, and the storage integrity processing unit 20 may be aportable computing device (e.g., a social networking device, a gamingdevice, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, adigital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, ahandheld computer, a video game controller, and/or any other portabledevice that includes a computing core) and/or a fixed computing device(e.g., a personal computer, a computer server, a cable set-top box, asatellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, homeentertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of homeor office computing equipment). Such a portable or fixed computingdevice includes a computing core 26 and one or more interfaces 30, 32,and/or 33. An embodiment of the computing core 26 will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

With respect to the interfaces, each of the interfaces 30, 32, and 33includes software and/or hardware to support one or more communicationlinks via the network 24 and/or directly. For example, interfaces 30support a communication link (wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, viathe network 24, etc.) between the first type of user device 14 and theDS processing unit 16. As another example, DSN interface 32 supports aplurality of communication links via the network 24 between the DSNmemory 22 and the DS processing unit 16, the first type of user device12, and/or the storage integrity processing unit 20. As yet anotherexample, interface 33 supports a communication link between the DSmanaging unit 18 and any one of the other devices and/or units 12, 14,16, 20, and/or 22 via the network 24.

In general and with respect to data storage, the system 10 supportsthree primary functions: distributed network data storage management,distributed data storage and retrieval, and data storage integrityverification. In accordance with these three primary functions, data canbe distributedly stored in a plurality of physically different locationsand subsequently retrieved in a reliable and secure manner regardless offailures of individual storage devices, failures of network equipment,the duration of storage, the amount of data being stored, attempts athacking the data, etc.

The DS managing unit 18 performs distributed network data storagemanagement functions, which include establishing distributed datastorage parameters, performing network operations, performing networkadministration, and/or performing network maintenance. The DS managingunit 18 establishes the distributed data storage parameters (e.g.,allocation of virtual DSN memory space, distributed storage parameters,security parameters, billing information, user profile information,etc.) for one or more of the user devices 12-14 (e.g., established forindividual devices, established for a user group of devices, establishedfor public access by the user devices, etc.). For example, the DSmanaging unit 18 coordinates the creation of a vault (e.g., a virtualmemory block) within the DSN memory 22 for a user device (for a group ofdevices, or for public access). The DS managing unit 18 also determinesthe distributed data storage parameters for the vault. In particular,the DS managing unit 18 determines a number of slices (e.g., the numberthat a data segment of a data file and/or data block is partitioned intofor distributed storage) and a read threshold value (e.g., the minimumnumber of slices required to reconstruct the data segment).

As another example, the DS managing module 18 creates and stores,locally or within the DSN memory 22, user profile information. The userprofile information includes one or more of authentication information,permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters mayinclude one or more of encryption/decryption scheme, one or moreencryption keys, key generation scheme, and data encoding/decodingscheme.

As yet another example, the DS managing unit 18 creates billinginformation for a particular user, user group, vault access, publicvault access, etc. For instance, the DS managing unit 18 tracks thenumber of times a user accesses a private vault and/or public vaults,which can be used to generate a per-access bill. In another instance,the DS managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/orretrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used togenerate a per-data-amount bill.

The DS managing unit 18 also performs network operations, networkadministration, and/or network maintenance. As at least part ofperforming the network operations and/or administration, the DS managingunit 18 monitors performance of the devices and/or units of the system10 for potential failures, determines the devices and/or unit'sactivation status, determines the devices' and/or units' loading, andany other system level operation that affects the performance level ofthe system 10. For example, the DS managing unit 18 receives andaggregates network management alarms, alerts, errors, statusinformation, performance information, and messages from the devices12-14 and/or the units 16, 20, 22. For example, the DS managing unit 18receives a simple network management protocol (SNMP) message regardingthe status of the DS processing unit 16.

The DS managing unit 18 performs the network maintenance by identifyingequipment within the system 10 that needs replacing, upgrading,repairing, and/or expanding. For example, the DS managing unit 18determines that the DSN memory 22 needs more DS units 36 or that one ormore of the DS units 36 needs updating.

The second primary function (i.e., distributed data storage andretrieval) begins and ends with a user device 12-14. For instance, if asecond type of user device 14 has a data file 38 and/or data block 40 tostore in the DSN memory 22, it send the data file 38 and/or data block40 to the DS processing unit 16 via its interface 30. As will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2, the interface 30functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file systeminterface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS),disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-baseddistributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a blockmemory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internetsmall computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). In addition, theinterface 30 may attach a user identification code (ID) to the data file38 and/or data block 40.

The DS processing unit 16 receives the data file 38 and/or data block 40via its interface 30 and performs a distributed storage (DS) process 34thereon (e.g., an error coding dispersal storage function). The DSprocessing 34 begins by partitioning the data file 38 and/or data block40 into one or more data segments, which is represented as Y datasegments. For example, the DS processing 34 may partition the data file38 and/or data block 40 into a fixed byte size segment (e.g., 2¹ to 2″bytes, where n=>2) or a variable byte size (e.g., change byte size fromsegment to segment, or from groups of segments to groups of segments,etc.).

For each of the Y data segments, the DS processing 34 error encodes(e.g., forward error correction (FEC), information dispersal algorithm,or error correction coding) and slices (or slices then error encodes)the data segment into a plurality of error coded (EC) data slices 42-48,which is represented as X slices per data segment. The number of slices(X) per segment, which corresponds to a number of pillars n, is set inaccordance with the distributed data storage parameters and the errorcoding scheme. For example, if a Reed-Solomon (or other FEC scheme) isused in an n/k system, then a data segment is divided into n slices,where k number of slices is needed to reconstruct the original data(i.e., k is the threshold). As a few specific examples, the n/k factormay be 5/3; 6/4; 8/6; 8/5; 16/10.

For each slice 42-48, the DS processing unit 16 creates a unique slicename and appends it to the corresponding slice 42-48. The slice nameincludes universal DSN memory addressing routing information (e.g.,virtual memory addresses in the DSN memory 22) and user-specificinformation (e.g., user ID, file name, data block identifier, etc.).

The DS processing unit 16 transmits the plurality of EC slices 42-48 toa plurality of DS units 36 of the DSN memory 22 via the DSN interface 32and the network 24. The DSN interface 32 formats each of the slices fortransmission via the network 24. For example, the DSN interface 32 mayutilize an internet protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, etc.) to packetize theslices 42-48 for transmission via the network 24.

The number of DS units 36 receiving the slices 42-48 is dependent on thedistributed data storage parameters established by the DS managing unit18. For example, the DS managing unit 18 may indicate that each slice isto be stored in a different DS unit 36. As another example, the DSmanaging unit 18 may indicate that like slice numbers of different datasegments are to be stored in the same DS unit 36. For example, the firstslice of each of the data segments is to be stored in a first DS unit36, the second slice of each of the data segments is to be stored in asecond DS unit 36, etc. In this manner, the data is encoded anddistributedly stored at physically diverse locations to improved datastorage integrity and security. Further examples of encoding the datasegments will be provided with reference to one or more of FIGS. 2-9.

Each DS unit 36 that receives a slice 42-48 for storage translates thevirtual DSN memory address of the slice into a local physical addressfor storage. Accordingly, each DS unit 36 maintains a virtual tophysical memory mapping to assist in the storage and retrieval of data.

The first type of user device 12 performs a similar function to storedata in the DSN memory 22 with the exception that it includes the DSprocessing. As such, the device 12 encodes and slices the data fileand/or data block it has to store. The device then transmits the slices11 to the DSN memory via its DSN interface 32 and the network 24.

For a second type of user device 14 to retrieve a data file or datablock from memory, it issues a read command via its interface 30 to theDS processing unit 16. The DS processing unit 16 performs the DSprocessing 34 to identify the DS units 36 storing the slices of the datafile and/or data block based on the read command. The DS processing unit16 may also communicate with the DS managing unit 18 to verify that theuser device 14 is authorized to access the requested data.

Assuming that the user device is authorized to access the requesteddata, the DS processing unit 16 issues slice read commands to at least athreshold number of the DS units 36 storing the requested data (e.g., toat least 10 DS units for a 16/10 error coding scheme). Each of the DSunits 36 receiving the slice read command, verifies the command,accesses its virtual to physical memory mapping, retrieves the requestedslice, or slices, and transmits it to the DS processing unit 16.

Once the DS processing unit 16 has received a read threshold number ofslices for a data segment, it performs an error decoding function andde-slicing to reconstruct the data segment. When Y number of datasegments has been reconstructed, the DS processing unit 16 provides thedata file 38 and/or data block 40 to the user device 14. Note that thefirst type of user device 12 performs a similar process to retrieve adata file and/or data block.

The storage integrity processing unit 20 performs the third primaryfunction of data storage integrity verification. In general, the storageintegrity processing unit 20 periodically retrieves slices 45, and/orslice names, of a data file or data block of a user device to verifythat one or more slices have not been corrupted or lost (e.g., the DSunit failed). The retrieval process mimics the read process previouslydescribed.

If the storage integrity processing unit 20 determines that one or moreslices is corrupted or lost, it rebuilds the corrupted or lost slice(s)in accordance with the error coding scheme. The storage integrityprocessing unit 20 stores the rebuilt slice, or slices, in theappropriate DS unit(s) 36 in a manner that mimics the write processpreviously described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, mainmemory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO)controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58,at least one IO device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM)basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interfacemodules. The memory interface module(s) includes one or more of auniversal serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA)interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash interfacemodule 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN interface module76. Note the DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module70 may function as the interface 30 of the user device 14 of FIG. 1.Further note that the IO device interface module 62 and/or the memoryinterface modules may be collectively or individually referred to as IOports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersedstorage (DS) processing module 34 of user device 12 and/or of the DSprocessing unit 16. The DS processing module 34 includes a gatewaymodule 78, an access module 80, a grid module 82, and a storage module84. The DS processing module 34 may also include an interface 30 and theDSnet interface 32 or the interfaces 68 and/or 70 may be part of user 12or of the DS processing unit 14. The DS processing module 34 may furtherinclude a bypass/feedback path between the storage module 84 to thegateway module 78. Note that the modules 78-84 of the DS processingmodule 34 may be in a single unit or distributed across multiple units.

In an example of storing data, the gateway module 78 receives anincoming data object that includes a user ID field 86, an object namefield 88, and the data field 40 and may also receive correspondinginformation that includes a process identifier (e.g., an internalprocess/application ID), metadata, a file system directory, a blocknumber, a transaction message, a user device identity (ID), a dataobject identifier, a source name, and/or user information. The gatewaymodule 78 authenticates the user associated with the data object byverifying the user ID 86 with the managing unit 18 and/or anotherauthenticating unit.

When the user is authenticated, the gateway module 78 obtains userinformation from the management unit 18, the user device, and/or theother authenticating unit. The user information includes a vaultidentifier, operational parameters, and user attributes (e.g., userdata, billing information, etc.). A vault identifier identifies a vault,which is a virtual memory space that maps to a set of DS storage units36. For example, vault 1 (i.e., user 1's DSN memory space) includeseight DS storage units (X=8 wide) and vault 2 (i.e., user 2's DSN memoryspace) includes sixteen DS storage units (X=16 wide). The operationalparameters may include an error coding algorithm, the width n (number ofpillars X or slices per segment for this vault), a read threshold T, awrite threshold, an encryption algorithm, a slicing parameter, acompression algorithm, an integrity check method, caching settings,parallelism settings, and/or other parameters that may be used to accessthe DSN memory layer.

The gateway module 78 uses the user information to assign a source name35 to the data. For instance, the gateway module 60 determines thesource name 35 of the data object 40 based on the vault identifier andthe data object. For example, the source name may contain a fileidentifier (ID), a vault generation number, a reserved field, and avault identifier (ID). As another example, the gateway module 78 maygenerate the file ID based on a hash function of the data object 40.Note that the gateway module 78 may also perform a message conversion,protocol conversion, electrical conversion, optical conversion, accesscontrol, user identification, user information retrieval, trafficmonitoring, statistics generation, configuration, management, and/orsource name determination.

The access module 80 receives the data object 40 and creates a series ofdata segments 1 through Y 90-92 in accordance with a data storageprotocol (e.g., file storage system, a block storage system, and/or anaggregated block storage system). The number of segments Y may be chosenor randomly assigned based on a selected segment size and the size ofthe data object. For example, if the number of segments is chosen to bea fixed number, then the size of the segments varies as a function ofthe size of the data object. For instance, if the data object is animage file of 4,194,304 eight bit bytes (e.g., 33,554,432 bits) and thenumber of segments Y=131,072, then each segment is 256 bits or 32 bytes.As another example, if segment sized is fixed, then the number ofsegments Y varies based on the size of data object. For instance, if thedata object is an image file of 4,194,304 bytes and the fixed size ofeach segment is 4,096 bytes, the then number of segments Y=1,024. Notethat each segment is associated with the same source name.

The grid module 82 receives the data segments and may manipulate (e.g.,compression, encryption, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) each ofthe data segments before performing an error coding function of theerror coding dispersal storage function to produce a pre-manipulateddata segment. After manipulating a data segment, if applicable, the gridmodule 82 error encodes (e.g., Reed-Solomon, Convolution encoding,Trellis encoding, etc.) the data segment or manipulated data segmentinto X error coded data slices 42-44.

The value X, or the number of pillars (e.g., X=16), is chosen as aparameter of the error coding dispersal storage function. Otherparameters of the error coding dispersal function include a readthreshold T, a write threshold W, etc. The read threshold (e.g., T=10,when X=16) corresponds to the minimum number of error-free error codeddata slices required to reconstruct the data segment. In other words,the DS processing module 34 can compensate for X-T (e.g., 16−10=6)missing error coded data slices per data segment. The write threshold Wcorresponds to a minimum number of DS storage units that acknowledgeproper storage of their respective data slices before the DS processingmodule indicates proper storage of the encoded data segment. Note thatthe write threshold is greater than or equal to the read threshold for agiven number of pillars (X).

For each data slice of a data segment, the grid module 82 generates aunique slice name 37 and attaches it thereto. The slice name 37 includesa universal routing information field and a vault specific field and maybe 48 bytes (e.g., 24 bytes for each of the universal routinginformation field and the vault specific field). As illustrated, theuniversal routing information field includes a slice index, a vault ID,a vault generation, and a reserved field. The slice index is based onthe pillar number and the vault ID and, as such, is unique for eachpillar (e.g., slices of the same pillar for the same vault for anysegment will share the same slice index). The vault specific fieldincludes a data name, which includes a file ID and a segment number(e.g., a sequential numbering of data segments 1-Y of a simple dataobject or a data block number).

Prior to outputting the error coded data slices of a data segment, thegrid module may perform post-slice manipulation on the slices. Ifenabled, the manipulation includes slice level compression, encryption,CRC, addressing, tagging, and/or other manipulation to improve theeffectiveness of the computing system.

When the error coded data slices of a data segment are ready to beoutputted, the grid module 82 determines which of the DS storage units36 will store the EC data slices based on a dispersed storage memorymapping associated with the user's vault and/or DS storage unitattributes. The DS storage unit attributes may include availability,self-selection, performance history, link speed, link latency,ownership, available DSN memory, domain, cost, a prioritization scheme,a centralized selection message from another source, a lookup table,data ownership, and/or any other factor to optimize the operation of thecomputing system. Note that the number of DS storage units 36 is equalto or greater than the number of pillars (e.g., X) so that no more thanone error coded data slice of the same data segment is stored on thesame DS storage unit 36. Further note that EC data slices of the samepillar number but of different segments (e.g., EC data slice 1 of datasegment 1 and EC data slice 1 of data segment 2) may be stored on thesame or different DS storage units 36.

The storage module 84 performs an integrity check on the outboundencoded data slices and, when successful, identifies a plurality of DSstorage units based on information provided by the grid module 82. Thestorage module 84 then outputs the encoded data slices 1 through X ofeach segment 1 through Y to the DS storage units 36. Each of the DSstorage units 36 stores its EC data slice(s) and maintains a localvirtual DSN address to physical location table to convert the virtualDSN address of the EC data slice(s) into physical storage addresses.

In an example of a read operation, the user device 12 and/or 14 sends aread request to the DS processing unit 14, which authenticates therequest. When the request is authentic, the DS processing unit 14 sendsa read message to each of the DS storage units 36 storing slices of thedata object being read. The slices are received via the DSnet interface32 and processed by the storage module 84, which performs a parity checkand provides the slices to the grid module 82 when the parity check wassuccessful. The grid module 82 decodes the slices in accordance with theerror coding dispersal storage function to reconstruct the data segment.The access module 80 reconstructs the data object from the data segmentsand the gateway module 78 formats the data object for transmission tothe user device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module 82that includes a control unit 73, a pre-slice manipulator 75, an encoder77, a slicer 79, a post-slice manipulator 81, a pre-slice de-manipulator83, a decoder 85, a de-slicer 87, and/or a post-slice de-manipulator 89.Note that the control unit 73 may be partially or completely external tothe grid module 82. For example, the control unit 73 may be part of thecomputing core at a remote location, part of a user device, part of theDS managing unit 18, or distributed amongst one or more DS storageunits.

In an example of write operation, the pre-slice manipulator 75 receivesa data segment 90-92 and a write instruction from an authorized userdevice. The pre-slice manipulator 75 determines if pre-manipulation ofthe data segment 90-92 is required and, if so, what type. The pre-slicemanipulator 75 may make the determination independently or based oninstructions from the control unit 73, where the determination is basedon a computing system-wide predetermination, a table lookup, vaultparameters associated with the user identification, the type of data,security requirements, available DSN memory, performance requirements,and/or other metadata.

Once a positive determination is made, the pre-slice manipulator 75manipulates the data segment 90-92 in accordance with the type ofmanipulation. For example, the type of manipulation may be compression(e.g., Lempel-Ziv-Welch, Huffman, Golomb, fractal, wavelet, etc.),signatures (e.g., Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA), Elliptic Curve DSA,Secure Hash Algorithm, etc.), watermarking, tagging, encryption (e.g.,Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard, etc.), addingmetadata (e.g., time/date stamping, user information, file type, etc.),cyclic redundancy check (e.g., CRC32), and/or other data manipulationsto produce the pre-manipulated data segment.

The encoder 77 encodes the pre-manipulated data segment 92 using aforward error correction (FEC) encoder (and/or other type of erasurecoding and/or error coding) to produce an encoded data segment 94. Theencoder 77 determines which forward error correction algorithm to usebased on a predetermination associated with the user's vault, a timebased algorithm, user direction, DS managing unit direction, controlunit direction, as a function of the data type, as a function of thedata segment 92 metadata, and/or any other factor to determine algorithmtype. The forward error correction algorithm may be Golay,Multidimensional parity, Reed-Solomon, Hamming, Bose Ray ChauduriHocquenghem (BCH), Cauchy-Reed-Solomon, or any other FEC encoder. Notethat the encoder 77 may use a different encoding algorithm for each datasegment 92, the same encoding algorithm for the data segments 92 of adata object, or a combination thereof.

The encoded data segment 94 is of greater size than the data segment 92by the overhead rate of the encoding algorithm by a factor of X/T, whereX is the width or number of slices, and T is the read threshold. In thisregard, the corresponding decoding process can accommodate at most X-Tmissing EC data slices and still recreate the data segment 92. Forexample, if X=16 and T=10, then the data segment 92 will be recoverableas long as 10 or more EC data slices per segment are not corrupted.

The slicer 79 transforms the encoded data segment 94 into EC data slicesin accordance with the slicing parameter from the vault for this userand/or data segment 92. For example, if the slicing parameter is X=16,then the slicer 79 slices each encoded data segment 94 into 16 encodedslices.

The post-slice manipulator 81 performs, if enabled, post-manipulation onthe encoded slices to produce the EC data slices. If enabled, thepost-slice manipulator 81 determines the type of post-manipulation,which may be based on a computing system-wide predetermination,parameters in the vault for this user, a table lookup, the useridentification, the type of data, security requirements, available DSNmemory, performance requirements, control unit directed, and/or othermetadata. Note that the type of post-slice manipulation may includeslice level compression, signatures, encryption, CRC, addressing,watermarking, tagging, adding metadata, and/or other manipulation toimprove the effectiveness of the computing system.

In an example of a read operation, the post-slice de-manipulator 89receives at least a read threshold number of EC data slices and performsthe inverse function of the post-slice manipulator 81 to produce aplurality of encoded slices. The de-slicer 87 de-slices the encodedslices to produce an encoded data segment 94. The decoder 85 performsthe inverse function of the encoder 77 to recapture the data segment90-92. The pre-slice de-manipulator 83 performs the inverse function ofthe pre-slice manipulator 75 to recapture the data segment 90-92.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of slicing an encoded data segment 94by the slicer 79. In this example, the encoded data segment 94 includesthirty-two bits, but may include more or less bits. The slicer 79disperses the bits of the encoded data segment 94 across the EC dataslices in a pattern as shown. As such, each EC data slice does notinclude consecutive bits of the data segment 94 reducing the impact ofconsecutive bit failures on data recovery. For example, if EC data slice2 (which includes bits 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 25, and 29) is unavailable(e.g., lost, inaccessible, or corrupted), the data segment can bereconstructed from the other EC data slices (e.g., 1, 3 and 4 for a readthreshold of 3 and a width of 4).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of verifying encoded dataslices. A method begins with step 102 where a processing module (e.g.,of a dispersed storage (DS) unit) determines a slice name of an encodeddata slice to verify. The determination may be based on one or more ofan error message, a request, a next slice name in a test list, a randomslice name, a slice name associated with a local DS unit, and a rebuildslice process conclusion indicator. For example, a processing moduledetermines a slice name associated with an encoded data slice to verifywhen the encoded data slice has been rebuilt.

The method continues at step 104 where the processing module obtains theencoded data slice and compresses the encoded data slice to produce acompressed encoded data slice. The obtaining may be based on one or moreof retrieving the encoded data slice from a local memory, receiving theencoded data slice in response to sending a read slice request to a DSunit, and receiving the encoded data slice from a DS processing unit.The compressing may include one or more of determining compressioninformation and compressing the encoded data slice in accordance withthe compression information. The compression information may include oneor more of a compression algorithm identifier (ID), a portion indicator,and a number of bits indicator. The determining of the compressioninformation may be based on one or more of a lookup, a request, acommand, and a data type. The compressing may include selecting aportion of the encoded data slice that includes all the bits of theencoded data slice, less than all of the bits of the encoded data slice,a random portion of the bits of the encoded data slice, and apredetermined portion of the bits of the encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 106 where the processing module determinesa storage set of DS units associated with the slice name. Thedetermination may be based on one or more of generating all slice namesof all pillars associated with the slice name, a virtual dispersedstorage network (DSN) to physical location table lookup, apredetermination, a message, and a command. The method continues at step108 where the processing module sends compressed encoded data slicepartial request messages to the storage set of DS units. The processingmodule may not send a compressed encoded data slice partial requestmessage to a DS unit affiliated with the slice name (e.g., a current DSunit). The request may include one or more of a slice name correspondingto an encoded data slice affiliated with a recipient DS unit of thestored set of DS units, the compression information, a recipient DS unitID, an initiator DS unit ID, and the slice name.

The method continues at step 110 where the processing module receives atleast a decode threshold number of compressed encoded data slice partialresponse messages to produce compressed encoded data slice partials. Theresponse messages may include one or more of a slice name correspondingto the encoded data slice associated with a DS unit of the response, thecompression information, and a compressed encoded data slice partialassociated with a DS unit of the response. The compressed encoded dataslice partial is with reference to the encoded data slice and theencoded data slice associated with the DS unit of the response.

The method continues at step 112 where the processing module determineswhether a sum (e.g., finite field math utilizing an XOR logicalfunction) of the compressed encoded data slice partials comparesfavorably to the compressed encoded data slice. The processing moduledetermines that the comparison is favorable when the sum of thecompressed encoded data slice partials is substantially the same as thecompressed encoded data slice. The method branches to step 116 when theprocessing module determines that the comparison is favorable. Themethod continues to step 114 when the processing module determines thatthe comparison is not favorable.

The method continues at step 114 where the processing module indicates afailed test when the processing module determines that the sum of thecompressed encoded data slice partials does not compare favorably to thecompressed encoded data slice. The failed test indication may includeone or more of sending a failed test message, marking a list,facilitating rebuilding of the encoded data slice, and initiatinganother verification process. In addition, the method may repeat back tostep 102 to verify another encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 116 where the processing module indicates apassed test when the processing module determines that the sum of thecompressed encoded data slice partials compares favorably to thecompressed encoded data slice. The passed test indication may includeone or more of sending a passed test message, marking a list, andinitiating another verification process. In addition, the method mayrepeat back to step 102 to verify another encoded data slice.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another example of verifying encodeddata slices, which include similar steps to FIG. 6. The method beginswith steps 102-112 of FIG. 6 where a processing module (e.g., of adispersed storage (DS) unit) determines a slice name of an encoded dataslice to verify, obtains the encoded data slice and compresses theencoded data slice to produce a compressed encoded data slice,determines a storage set of DS units associated with the slice name,sends compressed encoded data slice partial request messages to thestorage set of DS units, receives at least a decode threshold number ofcompressed encoded data slice partial response messages to producecompressed encoded data slice partials, and determines whether a sum(e.g., finite field math utilizing an XOR logical function) of thecompressed encoded data slice partials compares favorably to thecompressed encoded data slice. The method branches to step 118 when theprocessing module determines that the comparison is favorable. Themethod continues to step 114 of FIG. 6 when the processing moduledetermines that the comparison is not favorable. The method continues atstep 114 of FIG. 6 where the processing module indicates a failed testwhen the processing module determines that the comparison is notfavorable.

The method continues at step 118 where the processing module determinesa DS unit of the stored set of DS units to produce a selected DS unitwhen the processing module determines that the sum of the compressedencoded data slice partials compares favorably to the compressed encodeddata slice. The determination may be based on one or more of a randompick, a DS unit with a favorable comparison to selection criteria (e.g.,high trust, high reliability, highly available, low latency, etc.), nextin a DS unit list, and a DS unit that is not storing the encoded dataslice (e.g., rather stores another encoded data slice of a set ofencoded data slices wherein the set includes the encoded data). Themethod continues at step 120 where processing module sends a compressedencoded data slice request message to the selected DS unit. The methodcontinues at step 122 where the processing module receives a compressedencoded data slice response message to produce a selected compressedencoded data slice.

The method continues at step 124 where the processing module generates acompressed encoded data slice partial of the encoded data slice. Thegeneration includes partial decoding the encoded data slice to produce avector utilizing an inverted square encoding matrix (e.g., dimensionallya decode threshold by the decode threshold) multiplied by the encodeddata slice, partial encoding the vector to produce an encoded data slicepartial utilizing an encoding matrix (e.g., only utilizing a rowaffiliated with an encoded data slice associated with the selected DSunit) multiplied by the vector, and compressing the encoded data slicepartial to produce the compressed encoded data slice partial inaccordance with compression information.

The method continues at step 126 where the processing module determineswhether a sum (e.g., finite field math utilizing an XOR logicalfunction) of compressed encoded data slice partials compares favorablyto the selected compressed encoded data slice wherein compressed encodeddata slice partials of the sum of the compressed encoded data slicepartials includes the compressed encoded data slice partial of theencoded data slice and excludes a compressed encoded data slice partialassociated with the selected DS unit. The processing module determinesthat the comparison is favorable when the sum of the compressed encodeddata slice partials is substantially the same as the selected compressedencoded data slice. The method branches to step 116 of FIG. 6 when theprocessing module determines that the comparison is favorable. Themethod continues to step 114 of FIG. 6 when the processing moduledetermines that the comparison is not favorable. The method continues atstep 114 of FIG. 6 where the processing module indicates a failed testwhen the processing module determines that the sum of the compressedencoded data slice partials does not compare favorably to the selectedcompressed encoded data slice. In addition, the processing module maykeep testing the same encoded data slice utilizing other permutations ofthe selected DS unit. The method continues at step 116 of FIG. 6 wherethe processing module indicates a passed test when the processing moduledetermines the comparison is favorable.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of selecting dispersedstorage (DS) units, which include similar steps to FIG. 6. A methodbegins with step 128 where a processing module (e.g., of a DS unit)determines a slice name of an encoded data slice to rebuild or verify.The determination may be based on one or more of a slice errorindicator, an error message, a request, a next slice name in a list ofslices to test, a random slice name, a slice name associated with alocal DS unit, and a slice rebuild indicator. For example, theprocessing module determines the slice name based on a rebuild indicatorsubsequent to an encoded data slice being rebuilt. In such an example,the processing module determines to verify the encoded data sliceassociated with the slice name. The method continues at step 106 of FIG.6 where the processing module determines a storage set of DS unitsassociated with the slice name.

The method continues at step 130 where the processing module determinesa historical performance level of each DS unit of the storage set of DSunits. The determination may be based on one or more of retrieving ahistorical performance level record, a query, a test, a lookup, and amessage. Dimensions of such performance may include one or more ofaccess latency, excess bandwidth, reliability, availability, and cost.The method continues at step 132 where the processing module determinesan estimated performance level of each DS unit of the storage set of DSunits. The determination may be based on one or more of the historicalperformance level of each DS unit, an estimation guideline, a query, atest, a lookup, and a message. For example, processing module determinesthe estimated performance level of DS unit 3 based on the historicalperformance level of DS unit 3 for the last 30 days and the estimationguideline indicating that future estimated performance may be determinedas an average of historical performance levels for the last 30 days.

The method continues at step 134 where the processing module selects atleast a decode threshold number of DS units of the storage set of DSunits to produce selected DS units. The selection may be based on one ormore of system topology information (e.g., sites, number of DS units persite, site locations, etc.), the historical performance level, theestimated performance level, a performance goal, and a selectionapproach indicator (e.g., select as many DS units co-located with apresent DS unit as possible, select the issuance of a remote site with amaximum number of DS units). For example, the processing module selectsall three DS units (e.g., DS units 2-4) co-located with a present DSunit 1 (e.g., where the encoded data slice is stored), all four DS units(e.g., DS units 5-8 located at a second site, and DS unit 9 located at athird site in accordance with the selection approach indicator when thedecode threshold is 8 and all the selected DS units are included in thestorage set of DS units.

The method continues at step 136 where the processing module determinesan encoded data slice partial aggregation scheme for the selected DSunits. The scheme may include which DS units compute their encoded dataslice partial, which DS units aggregate their encoded data slice partialwith encoded data slice partials from which other DS units to produceaggregated encoded data slice partials, and which DS units are to berecipients of the aggregated encoded data slice partials. Thedetermination may be based on one or more of the selected DS units, thesystem topology information, a DS unit capability indicator, thehistorical performance level, the estimated performance level, asecurity goal, and a random issued selection per site. In a ringstructure example, the processing module determines the encoded dataslice partial aggregation scheme to include DS unit 9 sends its encodeddata slice partial to DS unit 8, DS unit 8 receives encoded data slicepartials from local DS units 5-7, & 9 and aggregates the encoded dataslice partials from DS units 5-9 to produce an aggregated encoded dataslice partial, DS unit 8 sends the aggregated encoded data slice partialto DS unit 1, DS unit 1 receives the aggregated encoded data slicepartial from DS unit 8, DS unit 1 receives encoded data slice partialsfrom local DS units 2-4, and DS unit 1 aggregates the encoded data slicepartials from DS units 2-4 and the aggregated encoded data slice partialfrom DS unit 8 to produce the encoded data slice. In a star structureexample, the processing module determines the encoded data slice partialaggregation scheme to include DS unit 9 sends its encoded data slicepartial to DS unit 1, DS unit 8 receives encoded data slice partialsfrom local DS units 5-7 and aggregates the encoded data slice partialsfrom DS units 5-8 to produce an aggregated encoded data slice partial,DS unit 8 sends the aggregated encoded data slice partial to DS unit 1,DS unit 1 receives the aggregated encoded data slice partial from DSunit 8, DS unit 1 receives encoded data slice partials from local DSunits 2-4, and DS unit 1 aggregates the encoded data slice partials fromDS units 2-4, & 9 and the aggregated encoded data slice partial from DSunit 8 to produce the encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 138 where the processing module sendsencoded data slice partial request messages to the selected DS units.The request messages may include one or more of the encoded data slicepartial aggregation scheme, a slice name corresponding to an encodeddata slice associated with the DS unit of associated with the requestmessage, a recipient identifier (ID), and compression information (e.g.,as previously discussed). The method continues at step 140 where theprocessing module receives encoded data slice partial response messagesand extracts encoded data slice partials from the messages. Next, theprocessing module facilitates rebuilding or verifying the encoded dataslice utilizing the encoded data slice partials.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of rebuilding an encodeddata slice. A method begins with step 142 where a processing module(e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) unit, of DS processing unit)identifies an encoded data slice to be rebuilt. The identification maybe based on one or more of a slice error indicator, a missing sliceindicator, a corrupted slice indicator, an error message, a request, anext slice name in a list of slices to test, a random slice name, aslice name associated with a local DS unit, detecting an error conditionassociated with the encoded data slice to be rebuilt, receiving amessage, and a slice rebuild indicator. The method continues at step 144where the processing module selects a decode threshold number ofdispersed storage (DS) units of a storage set of DS units associatedwith the encoded data slice to be rebuilt (e.g., a set of encoded dataslice is stored in the set of DS units that includes the encoded dataslice to be rebuilt). The selecting may be based on one or more of a DSunit availability indicator, a DS unit capability indicator, and a DSunit performance level indicator.

The method continues at step 146 where the processing module generates adecode threshold number of key pairs, wherein a key pair of the decodethreshold number of key pairs corresponds to a DS unit of the decodethreshold number of DS units. The generating the decode threshold numberof key pairs includes generating a decode threshold number of uniquekeys based on at least one of a random number generator, a random keygenerator, a predetermined key, a key seed, a key list, a private key, apublic key, a received key, a slice name, a slice revision, a DS unitidentifier, and a previous key and uniquely pairing keys of the decodethreshold number of unique keys to produce the decode threshold numberof key pairs. Each key of the decode threshold number of unique keysincludes a number of bits substantially the same as a number of bits ofthe encoded data slice to be rebuilt. For example, the processing modulemay generate each key of the decode threshold number of unique keys toinclude the number of bits substantially the same as the number of bitsof the encoded data slice to be rebuilt by expanding a random key to alength (e.g. number of bits) of the encoded data slice to produce anexpanded key utilizing a stream cipher (e.g., Rivest cipher 4 (RC4)). Asanother example, the processing module expands the random key to thelength of the encoded data slice to produce the expanded key utilizing ablock cipher in counter mode to generate a pseudo-random stream of alength that matches the length of the encoded data slice. The uniquepairing of the unique keys includes for each key pair of the decodethreshold number of key pairs, selecting a first key and a second keyfrom the decode threshold number of unique keys, wherein the second keyis substantially different than the first key, and wherein the key pairis unique, and wherein each key of the decode threshold number of uniquekeys is selected an even number of times.

The method continues at step 148 where the processing module sendspartial rebuilding requests to the decode threshold number of DS units,wherein a partial rebuilding request of the partial rebuilding requestsincludes one or more of the key pair, identity of the corresponding DSunit, a slice name of the encoded data slice to be rebuilt, a slice namecorresponding to an encoded data slice associated with the DS unit,pillar identifiers of the decode threshold number of DS units (e.g.,participating DS units), an encoding matrix, an inverted matrix, and arow of the encoding matrix corresponding to the encoded data slice to berebuilt. Alternatively, the processing module sends the key pairs inseparate messages. For example, the processing module generates threekeys and generates key pairs as k1 & k2 for partial A, k1 & k3 forpartial B, and k2 & k3 for partial C when the decode threshold is three.As another example, the processing module generates four keys andgenerates key pairs as k1 & k3 for partial A, k1 & k4 for partial B, k2& k3 for partial C, and k2 & k4 for partial D when the decode thresholdis four. As yet another example, the processing module generates fivekeys and generates key pairs as k1 & k3 for partial A, k1 & k4 forpartial B, k2 & k5 for partial C, k2 & k4 for partial D, and k3 & k5 forpartial E when the decode threshold is five. As a still further example,the processing module generates six keys and generates key pairs as k1 &k4 for partial A, k1 & k5 for partial B, k2 & k4 for partial C, k2 & k6for partial D, k3 & k5 for partial E, and k3 & k6 for partial F when thedecode threshold is six.

The method continues at step 150 where the processing module receivesencrypted partial encoded data slices in response to the partialrebuilding requests, wherein an encrypted partial encoded data slicereceived from the corresponding DS unit includes a multiple encryption,using the key pair, of a partial encoded data slice. The partial encodeddata slice includes a result of a partial encoded data slice generationfunction including obtaining an encoding matrix utilized to generate theencoded data slice to be rebuilt, reducing the encoding matrix toproduce a square matrix that exclusively includes rows associated withthe decode threshold number of DS units, inverting the square matrix toproduce an inverted matrix, matrix multiplying the inverted matrix by anencoded data slice associated with the DS unit to produce a vector, andmatrix multiplying the vector by a row of the encoding matrixcorresponding to the encoded data slice to be rebuilt to produce thepartial encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 152 where the processing module decodes theencrypted partial encoded data slices to rebuild the encoded data slice.The decoding the encrypted partial encoded data slices includes one ofperforming a logical exclusive OR function between each encryptedpartial encoded data slice of the encrypted partial encoded data slicesto rebuild the encoded data slice and performing the logical exclusiveOR function between each encrypted partial encoded data slice and acorresponding key pair of the decode threshold number of key pairs toproduce a decode threshold number of interim slices and performing thelogical exclusive OR function between each interim slice of the decodethreshold number of interim slices to reproduce the encoded data sliceto be rebuilt. The exclusive OR function step will cancel out all thekeys leaving the partial encoded data slices summed with each other toreproduce the encoded data slice to be rebuilt since the encryptedpartial encoded data slices were previously encrypted with two keysutilized an even number of times (e.g., twice) across all the encryptedpartial encoded slices.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating anencrypted partial encoded data slice. The method begins with step 154where a processing model (e.g., of a participating dispersed storage(DS) unit, of a DS processing unit) receives a partial rebuildingrequest (e.g., from a requesting entity), wherein the request includes akey pair. Alternatively, the processing module generates the key pairutilizing a Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol with the requestingentity. The method continues at step 156 where the processing moduleretrieves (e.g., utilizing a slice name of the request) an encoded dataslice associated with the partial encoded data slice request. Inaddition, the processing module may generate a new key pair based on thekey pair. For example, the processing module expands the key pair to bea same number of bits as the encoded slice to produce the new key pair.

The method continues at step 158 where the processing module generates apartial encoded data slice based on the request and the encoded dataslice associated with the request. The generating the partial encodeddata slice includes one or more of obtaining an encoding matrix utilizedto generate the encoded data slice (e.g., extract from the partialrebuilding request, retrieve from a memory), reducing the encodingmatrix to produce a square matrix that exclusively includes rowsidentified in the partial rebuilding request (e.g., slice pillarsassociated with participating DS units of a decode threshold number ofDS units), inverting the square matrix to produce an inverted matrix(e.g. alternatively, may extract the inverted matrix from the partialrebuilding request), matrix multiplying the inverted matrix by theencoded data slice to produce a vector, and matrix multiplying thevector by a row of the encoding matrix corresponding to an encoded dataslice to be rebuilt (e.g. alternatively, may extract the row from thepartial rebuilding request), to produce the partial encoded data slice(e.g., encoded data slice to be rebuilt identified in the partialrebuilding request).

The method continues at step 160 where the processing module multipleencrypts the partial encoded data slice using the key pair to produce anencrypted partial encoded data slice. The multiple encrypting thepartial encoded data slice includes encrypting the partial encoded dataslice utilizing a first key of the key pair to produce an interim sliceand encrypting the interim slice utilizing a second key of the key pairto produce the encrypted partial encoded data slice. The encrypting thepartial encoded data slice utilizing the first key includes at least oneof performing a logical exclusive OR function between the partialencoded data slice and the first key to produce the interim slice andencrypting the partial encoded data slice utilizing the first key toproduce the interim slice. The encrypting the interim slice utilizingthe second key includes at least one of performing a logical exclusiveOR function between the interim slice and the second key to produce theencrypted partial encoded data slice and encrypting the interim sliceutilizing the second key to produce the encrypted partial encoded dataslice. The method continues at step 162 where the processing moduleoutputs the encrypted partial encoded data slice. For example, theprocessing module sends the encrypted partial encoded data slice to therequesting entity.

FIG. 9C is a block diagram of a rebuilding module 125 that operates inaccordance with the method described in FIG. 9A. The rebuilder module125 is a module that includes one or more sub-modules, which include anidentify module 127, a select module 129, a key pair generate module131, a send module 133, a receive module 135, and a decode module 137.The select module 129 selects a decode threshold number of dispersedstorage (DS) units 36 of a storage set of DS units of a dispersedstorage network (DSN) memory 22 associated with the encoded data sliceto be rebuilt to produce selected DS units 141.

The key pair generate module 131 generates a decode threshold number ofkey pairs 143, wherein a key pair of the decode threshold number of keypairs 143 corresponds to a DS unit of the decode threshold number of DSunits 141. The key pair generate module 131 generates the decodethreshold number of key pairs 143 by generating a decode thresholdnumber of unique keys based on at least one of a random numbergenerator, a random key generator, a predetermined key, a key seed, akey list, a private key, and public key, a received key, and a previouskey and uniquely pairing keys of the decode threshold number of uniquekeys to produce the decode threshold number of key pairs 143.

The send module 133 sends partial rebuilding requests 145 to the decodethreshold number of DS units 141, wherein a partial rebuilding requestof the partial rebuilding requests 145 includes the key pair andidentity of the corresponding DS unit. The receive module 135 receivesencrypted partial encoded data slices 147 in response to the partialrebuilding requests, wherein an encrypted partial encoded data slicereceived from the corresponding DS unit includes a multiple encryption,using the key pair, of a partial encoded data slice.

The decode module 137 decodes the encrypted partial encoded data slices147 to rebuild the encoded data slice 149. The decode module 137 decodesthe encrypted partial encoded data slices 147 by one of performing alogical exclusive OR function between each encrypted partial encodeddata slice of the encrypted partial encoded data slices to rebuild theencoded data slice and performing the logical exclusive OR functionbetween each encrypted partial encoded data slice and a correspondingkey pair of the decode threshold number of key pairs 143 to produce adecode threshold number of interim slices and performing the logicalexclusive OR function between each interim slice of the decode thresholdnumber of interim slices to reproduce the encoded data slice 149 to berebuilt.

FIG. 9D is a block diagram of another rebuilding module 161 thatoperates in accordance with the method described in FIG. 9B. Therebuilder module 161 is a module that includes one or more sub-modules,which include a receive module 163, a retrieve module 165, a generatemodule 167, an encrypt module 169, and an output module 171. The receivemodule 163 receives a partial rebuilding request 173 (e.g., from arequesting dispersed storage (DS) unit 36 of a dispersed storage network(DSN) memory 22) wherein the request includes a key pair 175. Theretrieve module 165 retrieves an encoded data slice 177 associated withthe partial encoded data slice request 173.

The generate module 167 generates a partial encoded data slice 179 basedon the request 173 and the encoded data slice 177 associated with therequest. The generate module 167 generates the partial encoded dataslice 179 by one or more of obtaining an encoding matrix utilized togenerate the encoded data slice, reducing the encoding matrix to producea square matrix that exclusively includes rows identified in the partialrebuilding request, inverting the square matrix to produce an invertedmatrix, matrix multiplying the inverted matrix by the encoded data sliceto produce a vector, and matrix multiplying the vector by a row of theencoding matrix corresponding to an encoded data slice to be rebuilt toproduce the partial encoded data slice 179.

The encrypt module 169 multiple encrypts the partial encoded data slice179 using the key pair 175 to produce an encrypted partial encoded dataslice 181. The encrypt module 169 multiple encrypts the partial encodeddata slice 179 by encrypting the partial encoded data slice 179utilizing a first key of the key pair 175 to produce an interim sliceand encrypting the interim slice utilizing a second key of the key pair175 to produce the encrypted partial encoded data slice 181.Alternatively, the encrypt module 169 encrypts the partial encoded dataslice 179 utilizing the first key by at least one of performing alogical exclusive OR function between the partial encoded data slice 179and the first key to produce the interim slice and encrypting thepartial encoded data slice 179 utilizing the first key to produce theinterim slice. In addition, the encrypt module 169 may encrypt theinterim slice utilizing the second key by at least one of performing alogical exclusive OR function between the interim slice and the secondkey to produce the encrypted partial encoded data slice 181 andencrypting the interim slice utilizing the second key to produce theencrypted partial encoded data slice 181. The output module 171 out putsthe encrypted partial encoded data slice (e.g., to the requesting DSunit 36).

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating another example of rebuilding anencoded data slice, which include similar steps to FIG. 9A. The methodbegins with steps 142-148 of FIG. 9A where a processing module (e.g. ofa dispersed storage (DS) unit initiating a star structure rebuildingprocess) identifies an encoded data slice to be rebuilt (e.g.,identifies a slice name associated with the encoded data slice to berebuilt), selects a decode threshold number of DS units of a storage setof DS units associated with the encoded data slice to be rebuilt toproduce selected DS units and a participant list, and sends partialrebuilding requests to the decode threshold number of DS units. Theparticipant list includes a list of DS unit identifiers (IDs) associatedwith the selected DS units.

The method continues at step 164 where the processing module determinespublic constants. The public constants may be subsequently utilized withan associated shared secret approach to determine a shared secretbetween two DS units. The shared secret approach may include one of aShamir shared secret method and a Diffie-Hellman shared secret method.The public constants may include one or more of participant IDs, theparticipant list, a Diffie-Hellman constant g, and a Diffie-Hellmanconstant p. Note that g may be a small number like 2 or 5 and p may be alarge prime number with hundreds of digits.

The method continues at step 166 where the processing module sends thepublic constants and the participant list to participants of theparticipant list. For example, the processing module sends the publicconstants and the participant list to each DS unit of the decodethreshold number of DS units. The method continues at step 168 where theprocessing module determines a public value based on the publicconstants and a private constant. The private constant may include alarge number with hundreds of digits. For example, the processing modulegenerates the public value as y=ĝ(private constant) mod p when utilizingthe Diffie-Hellman shared secret method.

The method continues at step 170 where the processing module receivesparticipant public values (e.g., public values created by eachparticipant DS unit). The method continues at step 172 where theprocessing module sends the public value and the participant publicvalues to the participants (e.g., utilizing the participants IDs of theparticipant list). For example, the processing module sends all of thepublic values to the selected DS units.

The method continues at step 174 where the processing module determinesa shared secret set for the participants. In an example utilizing theDiffie-Hellman shared secret method, the processing module generates ashared secret as S=(participant public value)̂(private constant) mod p.The processing module determines the shared secret set by calculating ashared secret for each pairing of a present DS unit and a DS unit of theparticipant list.

The method continues at step 176 where the processing module determinesa key set based on the shared secret set and an associated slice name.For example, the processing module determines a key of the key set askey=hash based message authentication code (HMAC) of (the participantlist+the participant public values+a recipient ID+an associated slicename) utilizing an associated shared secret as a HMAC key. Theprocessing module may utilize finite field math to sum elements of theHMAC. For instance, the recipient ID corresponds to a DS unit ID of aparticipant DS unit responding to an initiating DS unit. As anotherinstance, the recipient ID corresponds to a DS unit ID of the initiatingDS unit. In an instance, the associated slice name corresponds to aslice name affiliated with the participant DS unit. As yet anotherinstance, the associated slice name corresponds to the slice name (e.g.,affiliated with the initiating DS unit).

The method continues at step 178 where the processing module determinesa set of expanded keys based on the key set and a length of the encodeddata slice. For example, the processing module expands a key to a length(e.g. number of bits) of the encoded data slice to produce an expandedkey utilizing a stream cipher (e.g., Rivest cipher 4 (RC4)). As anotherexample, the processing module expands the key to a length of theencoded data slice to produce the expanded key utilizing a block cipherin counter mode to generate a pseudo-random stream of a length thatmatches the length of the encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 180 where the processing module receivesencrypted encoded data slice partial response messages that includeencrypted encoded data slice partials. For example, the processingmodule receives the encrypted encoded data slice partial responsemessages from the selected DS units. The method continues at step 182where the processing module decrypts the encoded data slice partialsutilizing the set of expanded keys to produce the encoded data slice.For example, the processing module produces an encoded dataslice=partial 1 XOR partial 2 XOR partial 3 etc.

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating an example of encrypting an encodeddata slice partial, which includes similar steps to FIGS. 9B and 10A.The method begins with step 184 where a processing module (e.g. of aparticipant dispersed storage (DS) unit participating in a starstructure rebuilding process) receives an encrypted encoded data slicepartial request message that includes a slice name (e.g., from aninitiating DS unit). For instance, the slice name is associated with theparticipant DS unit (e.g., stored in the participant DS unit) and isaffiliated with a slice name associated with the initiating DS unitwherein the encoded data slice associated with the slice name associatedwith the initiating DS unit is being rebuilt or verified. The methodcontinues with step 158 of FIG. 9B where the processing module generatesa partial encoded data slice based on the request and an encoded dataslice associated with the request.

The method continues at step 186 where the processing module receivespublic constants and a participant list that includes participantidentifiers (IDs). The method continues with step 168 of FIG. 10A wherethe processing module determines the public value based on the publicconstants and a private constant. The method continues at step 188 wherethe processing module sends the public value to participants (e.g.,participating DS units) utilizing participants IDs of the participantlist. For instance, the processing module sends the public valuedirectly to the participants. As another instance, the processing modulesends the public value to the initiating DS unit for publishing to theparticipants. The method continues with step 170 of FIG. 10A where theprocessing module receives participant public values. For example, theprocessing module receives the participant public values from theinitiating DS unit. As another example, the processing module receivesthe participant public values from each of the participants (e.g.,participating DS units).

The method continues at step 190 where the processing module determinesa shared secret with at least one participant. For example, theprocessing module generates the shared secret as S=(participant publicvalue)̂(private constant) mod p when utilizing the Diffie-Hellman sharedsecret method. The processing module may utilize the initiating DS unitpublic value for the participant public value when the processing moduledetermines a shared secret with the initiating DS unit. The processingmodule may utilize a participant public value associated with anotherparticipant (e.g., a different participating DS unit) when theprocessing module determines a shared secret with the other participant.Alternatively, or in addition to, the processing module determines ashared secret for each pairing of the participating DS unit with allother participants including the initiating DS unit.

The method continues at step 192 where the processing module determinesa key based on a shared secret associated with the at least oneparticipant and the slice name. The method continues at step 194 wherethe processing module determines an expanded key based on the key andthe encoded data slice partial. The method continues at step 196 wherethe processing module encrypts the encoded data slice partial utilizingthe expanded key to produce an encrypted encoded data slice partial. Forexample, the processing module determines the encrypted encoded dataslice partial=(the encoded data slice partial) XOR (the expanded key).The method continues at step 198 where the processing module sends anencrypted encoded data slice partial response message that includes theencrypted encoded data slice partial. For example, the processing modulesends the encrypted encoded data slice partial response message to theinitiating DS unit. As another example, the processing module sends theencrypted encoded data slice partial response message to anotherparticipating DS unit.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating another example of rebuilding anencoded data slice, which includes similar steps to FIGS. 9A and 10A.The method begins with steps 142-148 of FIG. 9A where a processingmodule (e.g. of a dispersed storage (DS) unit initiating a ringstructure rebuilding process) identifies an encoded data slice to berebuilt (e.g., identifies a slice name associated with the encoded dataslice), selects a decode threshold number of DS units (e.g.,participating DS unit identifiers (IDs) of a participant list), andsends partial rebuilding requests to the decode threshold number of DSunits (e.g., to request encrypted encoded data slice partials).

The method continues at step 200 where the processing module determinesring configuration information with reference to determining an encodeddata slice partial aggregation scheme for a ring structure example. Themethod continues at step 202 where the processing module sends the ringconfiguration information to the selected DS units. The method continueswith steps 174-176 of FIG. 10A where the processing module determines ashared secret set for the participant DS units and determines a key setbased on the shared secret set. Each key of the key set may include anexpanded key to match a length of the encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 204 where the processing module receives anaggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial response message thatincludes an aggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial. Forexample, the processing module receives one aggregated encrypted encodeddata slice partial response message that includes an encrypted encodeddata slice as the aggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial. Themethod continues at step 206 where the processing module decrypts theaggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial utilizing the key set toreproduce the encoded data slice to be rebuilt. For example, theprocessing module produces the encoded data slice=(aggregated encryptedencoded data slice partial) XOR key 1 XOR key 2 XOR key 3 etc. for allthe keys.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating another example of encrypting anencoded data slice partial, that includes similar steps to FIGS. 9B and10B. The method begins with step 184 of FIG. 10B where a processingmodule (e.g. of a participating dispersed storage (DS) unitparticipating a ring structure rebuilding process) receives an encryptedencoded data slice partial request message that includes a slice name.The method continues at step 208 where the processing module receives(e.g., from an initiating DS unit) ring configuration information. Themethod continues with step 158 of FIG. 9B where the processing modulegenerates an encoded data slice partial of an encoded data sliceassociated with the slice name. The method continues with steps 190-192of FIG. 10B where the processing module determines a shared secret withan initiator (e.g., the initiating DS unit) and determines a key basedon the shared secret.

The method continues at step 210 where the processing module encryptsthe encoded data slice partial utilizing the key to produce an encryptedencoded data slice partial. For example, the processing module producesthe encrypted encoded data slice partial=(the encoded data slicepartial) XOR (the key).

The method continues at step 212 where the processing module determineswhether to receive an upstream encrypted encoded data slice partial. Theupstream encrypted encoded data slice partial may include an encryptedencoded data slice from a sending DS unit (e.g., upstream with respectto a ring structure of the ring configuration information). Thedetermination may be based on the ring configuration information. Forexample, the processing module determines not to receive the upstreamencoded data slice partial when the ring configuration informationindicates that the participating DS unit is a first DS unit of the ringstructure. The method branches to step 216 when the processing moduledetermines to receive the upstream encrypted encoded data slice partial.The method continues to step 214 when the processing module determinesto not receive the upstream encrypted encoded data slice partial. Themethod continues at step 214 where the processing module sends anaggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial response message thatincludes the encrypted encoded data slice partial in accordance with thering configuration information (e.g., the processing module sends themessage to a downstream DS unit with respect to the ring structure).

The method continues at step 216 where the processing module receives(e.g., from the upstream DS unit with respect to the ring structure) theupstream encrypted encoded data slice partial when the processing moduledetermines to receive the upstream encrypted encoded data slice partialin accordance with the ring configuration information. The methodcontinues at step 218 where the processing module aggregates theencrypted encoded data slice partial with the upstream encrypted encodeddata slice partial to produce an aggregated encrypted encoded data slicepartial. For example, the processing module produces the aggregatedencrypted encoded data slice partial=(the encrypted encoded data slicepartial) XOR (the upstream encrypted encoded data slice partial).

The method continues at step 220 where the processing module sends theaggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial response message thatincludes the aggregated encrypted encoded data slice partial inaccordance with the ring configuration information. For example, theprocessing module sends the aggregated encrypted encoded data slicepartial response message to a downstream DS unit with respect to thering structure.

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating an example of assigning storageresources. The method begins with step 222 where a processing module(e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) managing unit) determines anaddressing range of a storage configuration. The addressing range mayinclude a virtual dispersed storage network (DSN) address range (e.g., afrom address, a to address, a number of addresses in the range). Thestorage configuration may include one or more DS units assigned to theaddressing range. For example, two DS units store the same encoded dataslices when the two DS units are assigned to the same addressing range.The determination may be based on one or more of a next address range ina list of address ranges to be tested, an error message, a performanceindicator, and a system capacity indicator. For example, the processingmodule determines an addressing range X when receiving a performanceindicator that indicates an issue with storage within addressing rangeX.

The method continues at step 224 where the processing module determinesa storage performance level associated with the addressing range. Thestorage performance level may include one or more of a read latencytime, a write latency time, a read data rate, a write data rate, anavailability indicator, and a reliability indicator. The determinationmay be based on one or more of a query, a test, a lookup, retrieval of ahistorical record, and a message.

The method continues at step 226 where the processing module determineswhether the storage performance level compares favorably to a storageperformance threshold. For example, the processing module determinesthat the storage performance level compares favorably to the storageperformance threshold when the storage performance level is not overperforming or underperforming. The method repeats back to step 222 whenthe processing module determines that the storage performance levelcompares favorably to the storage performance threshold. In such ascenario, the processing module may determine a different address rangeto test. The method continues to step 228 when the processing moduledetermines that the storage performance level compares unfavorably tothe storage performance threshold.

The method continues at step 228 where the processing module determinesan updated storage configuration associated with the addressing range.For example, the processing module removes DS units from the addressingrange when the storage performance level indicates over performing. Forinstance, the processing module detects over performing when a read datarate is higher than a threshold data rate. As another example, theprocessing module adds DS units to the addressing range when the storageperformance level indicates underperforming. For instance, theprocessing module detects underperforming when the read data rate islower than a threshold data rate. The processing module may select DSunits in accordance with a selecting method. Such a selecting method isdiscussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 12B.

The method continues at step 230 where the processing module re-assignsstorage resources in accordance with the updated storage configuration.For example, the processing module updates a virtual DSN address tophysical location table to include DS units assigned to the addressingrange. As another example, the processing module sends an addressingrange assignment message to the DS units assigned to the addressingrange. As yet another example, the processing module sends an addressingrange de-assignment message to the issuance no longer assigned to theaddressing range. The method repeats back to step 222 to potentiallyanalyze a still further addressing range.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating an example of selecting storageresources. The method begins with step 232 where a processing module(e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit) receives a sliceretrieval request including a slice name. The processing module mayreceive the slice retrieval request as a result of a data retrievalrequest. The method continues at step 234 where the processing moduledetermines a storage configuration associated with the slice name. Thestorage configuration includes a list of which DS units are assigned toa common slice name (e.g., same addressing range). The determination maybe based on one or more of a storage configuration lookup, a virtualdispersed storage network (DSN) to physical location table lookup, aquery, a message, and a predetermination.

The method continues at step 236 where the processing module determinesan estimated performance level for each storage resource of storageresources associated with the slice name based on the storageconfiguration. The performance level for each storage resource mayinclude one or more of an access latency time, a read data rate, a writedata rate, an availability indicator, and a reliability indicator. Thedetermination may be based on one or more of a performance historyrecord, a storage configuration lookup, a query, a message, apredetermination, and information in a retrieval message.

The method continues at step 238 where the processing module determinesa retrieval performance goal. The retrieval performance goal may includeone or more of a latency time, a read data rate, a write data rate, anavailability level, and a reliability level. The determination may bebased on one or more of a storage configuration lookup, a query, amessage, a predetermination, and information retrieved in a retrievalmessage.

The method continues at step 240 where the processing module selects astorage resource of the storage resources to produce a selected storageresource. The selection may be based on one or more of the estimatedperformance levels, the retrieval performance goal, and the storageconfiguration. For example, the processing module selects a DS unit withan estimated performance level compares favorably (e.g., superior) tothe retrieval performance goal. The method continues at step 242 wherethe processing module sends a read request message to the selectedstorage resource that includes the slice name.

FIG. 13A is a flowchart illustrating an example of storing an encodeddata slice. The method begins with step 244 where a processing module(e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit) receives a slicestorage request that includes an encoded data slice. For example, theprocessing module receives the slice storage request as a result of adata storage sequence. The method continues at step 246 where theprocessing module determines whether an associated DS unit is available.The determination may be based on one or more of a virtual dispersedstorage network (DSN) address to physical location table lookup (e.g.,indicating which DS unit is associated with the encoded data slice basedon a slice name), a query, a message, a performance indicator, anavailable memory indicator. For example, the processing moduledetermines that DS unit 6 is associated with the encoded data slicebased on the virtual DSN address to physical location table lookup andthat DS unit 6 is presently available based on an available memoryindicator associated with DS unit 6. The method branches to step 250when the processing module determines that the associated DS unit is notavailable. The method continues to step 248 when the processing moduledetermines that the associated DS unit is available. The methodcontinues at step 248 where the processing module sends a write requestmessage to the associated DS unit that includes the encoded data slice.

The method continues at step 250 where the processing module encryptsthe encoded data slice utilizing a random key to produce an encryptedencoded data slice when the processing module determines that theassociated DS unit is not available. The processing module may producethe random key based on a random number generator. The method continuesat step 252 where the processing module encrypts the random keyutilizing a key associated with the associated DS unit to produce anencrypted random key. For example, the processing module encrypts therandom key utilizing a public key of a public-key infrastructure (PKI)encryption approach associated with the associated DS unit to producethe encrypted random key.

The method continues at step 254 where the processing module determinesan available foster DS unit. The foster DS unit may temporarily storeslices on behalf of the DS unit that is not available. The determinationmay be based on one or more of a foster DS unit list, a query, amessage, a performance indicator, and an available memory indicator. Forexample, the processing module determines that DS unit 6 is theavailable foster DS unit when the processing module determines that theDS unit 6 is listed in the foster DS unit list and an available memoryindicator associated with DS unit 6 indicates that DS unit 6 isavailable.

The method continues at step 256 where the processing module sends awrite request messages to the foster DS unit that includes a signedpackage wherein the signed package includes the encrypted encoded dataslice, the encrypted random key, and a signature over the encryptedencoded data slice and the encrypted random key. The foster DS unit maysubsequently send the signed package to the associated DS unit when theassociated DS unit is once again available to facilitate storing theencoded data slice in the associated DS unit.

FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice. The method begins with a processing module (e.g., ofan associated dispersed storage (DS) unit associated with an encodeddata slice temporarily stored in a foster DS unit) receives a storeslice request message that includes a signed package including one ormore of an encrypted encoded data slice, an encrypted random key, and asignature over the encrypted encoded data slice and the encrypted randomkey. The method continues at step 260 where the processing moduledetermines whether the signature is valid. For example, the processingmodule compares a calculated hash over the encrypted encoded data sliceand the encrypted random key to a decrypted signature utilizing aprivate key associated with the associated DS unit. For instance, theprocessing module validates the signature when the processing moduledetermines that the calculated hash over the encrypted encoded dataslice and the encrypted random key is substantially the same as thedecrypted signature. The method branches to step 264 when the processingmodule determines that the signature is valid. The method continues tostep 262 when the processing module determines that the signature is notvalid. The method continues at step 262 where the processing modulerejects the package. For example, the processing module sends an errormessage to a requesting entity to reject the package.

The method continues at step 264 where the processing module determineswhether the request is authorized when the processing module determinesthat the signature is valid. The determination may be based on one ormore of an access control list (ACL) query, a user device identifier(ID), a DS processing unit ID, a vault ID, a source name, a slice name,and a data object ID. For example, the processing module determines thatthe request is authorized when the processing module determines that auser ID associated with the request is identified in the ACL asauthorized to access the encoded data slice associated with a slice nameof the request. The method branches to step 266 when the processingmodule determines that the request is authorized. The method continuesto step 262 to reject the package when the processing module determinesthat the request is not authorized.

The method continues at step 266 where the processing module decryptsthe encrypted random key to produce a random key. For example, theprocessing module decrypts the encrypted random key utilizing a privatekey associated with a private key infrastructure (PKI) encryptionapproach associated with the associated DS unit to produce the randomkey. The method continues at step 268 where the processing moduledecrypts the encrypted encoded data slice utilizing the random key toproduce an encoded data slice. The method continues at step 270 wherethe processing module stores the encoded data slice. For example, theprocessing module stores the encoded data slice in a memory of theassociated DS unit. Alternatively, or in addition to, the processingmodule may store the signed package in a memory of the associated DSunit wherein the encrypted encoded data slice and the encrypted randomkey may be subsequently retrieved enabling subsequent decrypting of theencrypted encoded data slice to produce the encoded data slice. In sucha scenario, a security improvement may be provided.

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system. The system includes a user device 12, a plurality ofdispersed storage (DS) processing units 1-N, a plurality of dispersedstorage network (DSN) memories 1-N that each include a plurality of DSunits 1-n. Alternatively, a plurality of DS processing modules and/or DSmodules may be utilized to implement the plurality of DS processingunits 1-N. Alternatively, the plurality of DSN memories 1-N may beimplemented with one DSN memory. Each DSN memory of the plurality of DSNmemories 1-N may include a different number of DS units when more thanone DSN memory is utilized.

In an example of operation, the user device 12 sends data 280 to DSprocessing unit 1 for storage in the plurality of DSN memories 1-N. DSprocessing unit 1 receives the data 280 and partitions the data 280 intoa first portion and a second portion in accordance with a datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme (e.g., including segmentationapproach). For instance, DS processing unit 1 partitions the data suchthat the first portion and the second portion overlap wherein the firstportion and the second portion share a common section. As anotherinstance, DS processing unit 1 partitions the data into N data segmentsthat includes a data segment 1 as the first portion and data segments2-N as the second portion. As yet another instance, DS processing unit 1partitions the data into two data segments that includes data segment 1as the first portion and data segment 2 as the second portion whereindata segment 1 and data segment 2 do not overlap. Next, DS processingunit 1 encodes (e.g., manipulates) the first portion (e.g. datasegment 1) to create local data (e.g., first manipulated data) and sendsthe local data to DSN memory 1 for storage therein as is furtherdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 14A-17F. Next, DS processing unit 1sends the second portion to DS processing unit 2.

In the example of operation continued, DS processing unit 2 receives thesecond portion and partitions the second portion into a third portionand a fourth portion in accordance with the data partitioning dispersedstorage scheme. For instance, DS processing unit 2 partitions the seconddata portion such that the third portion and the fourth portion overlapwherein the third portion and the fourth portion share a common section.As another instance, DS processing unit 2 partitions the second portioninto N−1 data segments 2-N that includes a data segment 2 as the thirdportion and data segments 3-N as the fourth portion. As yet anotherinstance, DS processing unit 2 segments the second portion into two datasegments that includes data segment 2 as the third portion and datasegment 3 as the fourth portion wherein data segment 2 and data segment3 do not overlap. As a still further instance, DS processing unit 2receives the second portion as data segments 2-N that include datasegment 2 as the third portion and data segments 3-N as the fourthportion. Next, DS processing unit 2 encodes (e.g., manipulates) thethird portion (e.g. data segment 2) to create second manipulated dataand sends the second manipulated data to DSN memory 2 for storagetherein as is further discussed with reference to FIGS. 14A-17F. Next,DS processing unit 2 sends the fourth portion to DS processing unit 3.Note that DS processing units 3-(N−1) may operate in accordance with themethod described for DS processing unit 2. In the example of operationcontinued, DS processing unit N receives data segment N from DSprocessing unit N−1. Next, DS processing unit N manipulates data segmentN to create Nth manipulated data and sends the Nth manipulated data toDSN memory N for storage therein as is further discussed with referenceto FIGS. 14A-17F.

Each DS processing unit of the plurality of DS processing units 1-Nmanipulates (e.g., encodes) a corresponding data segment to createcorresponding manipulated data in accordance with a data manipulationapproach. For example, DS processing unit 1 manipulates data segment 1to create first manipulated data. As another example, DS processing unit4 manipulates data segment 4 to create fourth manipulated data. The datamanipulation approach may include encoding the data segment to createone or more of a section of a data segment, a data segment, a replicateddata segment, an encoded data slice, and a plurality of encoded dataslices.

Next, the DS processing unit sends the manipulated data to one or moreDS units of a corresponding DSN memory in accordance with the datamanipulation approach. For example, DS processing unit 1 sends a pillarwidth number of encoded data slices to the pillar width number ofcorresponding DS units of DSN memory 1. For instance, DS processing unit1 sends a first slice to DS unit 1, a second slice to DS unit 2, upthrough an nth slice to DS unit n. As another example, DS processingunit 1 sends data segment 1 to each of the pillar width number of DSunits (e.g., DS units 1-n) of DSN memory 1. As yet another example, DSprocessing unit 1 sends a decode threshold number of sections (e.g.,sections 1-k) of data segment 1 to a corresponding decode thresholdnumber of DS units (e.g., DS units 1-k) of DSN memory 1. As a stillfurther example, DS processing unit 1 sends data segment 1 to a decodethreshold number of DS units (e.g., DS units 1-k) of DSN memory 1. Thepillar width n may vary from DS processing unit to DS processing unit inaccordance with the data manipulation approach. For example, DSprocessing unit 2 may utilize a pillar width of 5 when DS processingunit 1 utilizes a pillar width of 16. The decode threshold k may varyfrom DS processing unit to DS processing unit in accordance with thedata manipulation approach. For example, DS processing unit 2 mayutilize a decode threshold of 3 when DS processing unit 1 utilizes adecode threshold of 10.

A DS processing unit and/or a DS unit may update a directory and/or alocation table subsequent to storing the data in the plurality of DSNmemories. For example, DS processing unit N updates a virtual DSNaddress to physical location table subsequent to confirming that datasegment N has been successfully stored in DSN memory N. As anotherexample, DS unit n of DSN memory N updates the virtual DSN address tophysical location table subsequent to confirming that data segment N hasbeen successfully stored in DSN memory N. The method of operation ofeach of the plurality of DS processing units is described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 14B-17F. The method of operation of eachof the DS units of the plurality of DS units is described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 15C, 16E, and 17E-F. The method ofoperation of each of the plurality of DS processing units when the datamanipulation approach indicates to send manipulated data as the pillarwidth number of encoded data slices to the pillar width number of DSunits of the DSN memory is described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 14B.

In a data retrieval example of operation, each DS processing unitretrieves manipulated data from a corresponding DSN memory in accordancewith the data manipulation approach, decodes the manipulated data toproduce a corresponding data segment in accordance with the datamanipulation approach, sends the data segment to at least one other DSprocessing unit in accordance with the data segmentation approach, andaggregates data segments to reproduce the data in accordance with thedata segmentation approach.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart illustrating an example of storing data. Themethod begins with step 282 where a processing module (e.g., of adispersed storage (DS) module) receives (e.g., from a user device, froma DS processing module, from a DS processing unit, from a DS unit) datafor storage. The data may include one or more of at least a portion of adata object, at least a portion of a data block, a plurality of datablocks, and one or more data segments. The receiving the data includesreceiving the data from a second other DS module and receiving a datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme from the second other DS module.

Alternatively, the processing module may determine the data partitioningdispersed storage scheme based on one or more of a memory availabilityindicator, a data size indicator, a stored portion indicator, aredundancy indicator, a predetermination, and a lookup. The datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme may include one or more storageindicators including a first portion and a second portion are to beadjacent, the first portion is to be embedded in the second portion, thesecond portion is to be embedded in the first portion, the first portionand the second portion overlap, the first portion in the second portiondo not overlap, the first portion in the second portion are to be thesame size, the first portion is to be smaller than the second portion,the second portion is to be smaller than the first portion, and thesecond portion is to be zero bytes. In addition, the processing modulemay receive metadata associated with the data, wherein the metadataincludes one or more of a data identifier (ID), a user device ID, avault ID, a source name, a stored portion indicator, a data sizeindicator, a data type indicator, a priority indicator, a securityindicator, and a performance indicator.

The method continues at step 284 where the processing module determineswhether to partition the data in accordance with the data partitioningdispersed storage scheme. The determining whether to partition the dataincludes interpreting data size of the data, determining whether thedata size is of a level that requires partitioning in accordance withthe data partitioning dispersed storage scheme, and when the data sizeis of a level that requires partitioning, indicating partitioning of thedata. For example, the processing module determines to partition thedata when the data size is 1 megabyte (MB) and the level that requirespartitioning is 0.5 MB. The method branches to step 288 when theprocessing module determines to partition the data. The method continuesto step 286 when the processing module determines not to partition thedata. The method continues at step 286 where the processing modulefacilitates storing the data. The facilitating includes one or more ofsending the data to a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory for storagetherein, dispersed storage encoding the data to produce a plurality oflocal encoded data elements in accordance with dispersed storageencoding parameters and sending the plurality of local encoded dataelements to the DSN memory for storage therein, and sending the data toanother DS module.

The method continues at step 288 where the processing module partitionsthe data into a local data portion and a remaining data portion inaccordance with the data partitioning dispersed storage scheme when thedata is to be partitioned. The partitioning includes at least one ofselecting a portion of the data per a data portion size indication ofthe data partitioning dispersed storage scheme to produce the local dataportion and selecting the local data portion to have a partial overlapof data with the remaining data portion in accordance with the datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme.

The method continues at step 290 where the processing module dispersedstorage encodes the local data portion to produce a plurality of localencoded data elements in accordance with dispersed storage encodingparameters (e.g., associated with the data partitioning dispersedstorage scheme). The dispersed storage encoding includes one or more ofdispersed storage error encoding (e.g., to produce a plurality ofencoded data slices), slicing the local data portion into a set ofslices and encrypting the set of slices (e.g., such slices may bedifferent sizes), slicing the local data portion into a set of slices,and replicating the local data portion.

The method continues at step 292 where the processing module sends theplurality of local encoded data elements to an associated dispersedstorage network (DSN) memory for storage therein. The method continuesat step 294 where the processing module sends the remaining data portionto another DS module. The sending the remaining data portion to anotherDS module includes selecting the other DS module based at least one of:the data partitioning dispersed storage scheme, a lookup, a query, and amessage. For example, the processing module selects the DS module (e.g.,a first DS module in a chain of DS modules) as the other DS module whenthe data partitioning dispersed storage scheme includes an iterativeindicator. As another example, a processing module selects a previous DSmodule (e.g., source of the data) as the other DS module when the datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme includes a previous DS moduleindicator. The method continues at step 296 where the processing moduleupdates a location table to indicate storage of the local data portionwithin the associated DSN memory.

FIG. 14C is a block diagram of a storing module 201 that operates inaccordance with the method described in FIG. 14B. The storing module 201includes a receive module 203, a partition data determination module205, a data partitioning module 207, and a location table update module209. Alternatively, a single module (e.g., a dispersed storage (DS)module) may be implemented to provide functionality of modules 203-209.The receive module 203 facilitates receiving data 211 and datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme from a second other DS module(e.g., from a DS processing unit 16). The partition data determinationmodule 205 determines whether to partition data 2111 in accordance withthe data partitioning dispersed storage scheme, wherein the data isreceived for storage. The partition data determination module 205determines whether to partition the data by interpreting data size ofthe data, determining whether the data size is of a level that requirespartitioning in accordance with the data partitioning dispersed storagescheme, and when the data size is of a level that requires partitioning,indicating partitioning of the data.

When the data is to be partitioned, the data partitioning module 207partitions the data into a local data portion and a remaining dataportion 215 in accordance with the data partitioning dispersed storagescheme. The data partitioning module 207 partitions the data byselecting a portion of the data per a data portion size indication ofthe data partitioning dispersed storage scheme to produce the local dataportion. The data partitioning module 207 may partition the data byselecting the local data portion to have a partial overlap of data withthe remaining data portion 215 in accordance with the data partitioningdispersed storage scheme.

The data partitioning module 207 dispersed storage encodes the localdata portion to produce a plurality of local encoded data elements 213in accordance with dispersed storage encoding parameters. The dispersedstorage encoding includes one or more of dispersed storage errorencoding, slicing the local data portion into a set of slices andencrypting the set of slices, slicing the local data portion into a setof slices, and replicating the local data portion.

The data partitioning module 207 sends the plurality of local encodeddata elements 213 to an associated dispersed storage network (DSN)memory 22 for storage therein and sends the remaining data portion 215to another DS module (e.g., a DS processing unit). The data partitioningmodule 207 sends the remaining data portion 215 to the another DS moduleby selecting the other DS module based at least one of the datapartitioning dispersed storage scheme, a lookup, a query, and a message.The location table update module 209 updates a location table 219 toindicate a storage of the local data portion within the associated DSNmemory 22.

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system. The system includes a user device 12, a plurality ofdispersed storage (DS) processing units 1-N, a plurality of dispersedstorage network (DSN) memories 1-N that each includes a plurality of DSunits 1-n. Alternatively, a plurality of DS processing modules and/or DSmodules may be utilized to implement the plurality of DS processingunits 1-N. Alternatively, the plurality of DSN memories 1-N may beimplemented with one DSN memory. Each DSN memory of the plurality of DSNmemories 1-N may include a different number of DS units when more thanone DSN memory is utilized.

In an example of operation, the user device 12 sends data 280 to DSprocessing unit 1 for storage in the plurality of DSN memories. DSprocessing unit 1 receives the data 280 and partitions the data 280 intoa first portion and a second portion in accordance with a segmentationapproach. DS processing unit 1 manipulates the first portion (e.g. datasegment 1) to create first manipulated data and sends the firstmanipulated data to DSN memory 1 for storage therein. Next, DSprocessing unit 1 sends the second portion to DS processing unit 2. DSprocessing unit 2 receives the second portion and partitions the secondportion into a third portion and a fourth portion in accordance with thesegmentation approach. Next, DS processing unit 2 manipulates the thirdportion (e.g. data segment 2) to create second manipulated data andsends the second manipulated data to DSN memory 2 for storage therein.Next, DS processing unit 2 sends the fourth portion to DS processingunit 3. DS processing units 3-(N−1) may operate in accordance with themethod described for DS processing unit 2. In the example of operationcontinued, DS processing unit N receives data segment N from DSprocessing unit N−1. Next, DS processing unit N manipulates data segmentN to create Nth manipulated data and sends the Nth manipulated data toDSN memory N for storage therein.

Each DS processing unit of the plurality of DS processing unitsmanipulates a corresponding data segment to create correspondingmanipulated data in accordance with a data manipulation approach. Next,the DS processing unit sends the manipulated data to one or more DSunits of a corresponding DSN memory in accordance with the datamanipulation approach. For example, DS processing unit 1 sends datasegment 1 to each of the pillar width number of DS units (e.g., DS units1-n) of DSN memory 1. The DS processing unit and/or a DS unit may updatea directory and/or location table subsequent to storing the data in theplurality of DSN memories. The method of operation of each of theplurality of DS processing units when the data manipulation approachindicates to send a data segment to each of the pillar width number ofDS units of the DSN memory is described in greater detail with referenceto FIG. 15B. The method of operation of each of the DS units of theplurality of DS units when the data manipulation approach indicates tosend the data segment to each of the pillar width number of DS units ofthe DSN memory is described in greater detail with reference to FIG.15C.

In a data retrieval example of operation, each DS processing unitretrieves manipulated data from a corresponding DSN memory in accordancewith the data manipulation approach, decodes the manipulated data toproduce a corresponding data segment in accordance with the datamanipulation approach, sends the data segment to at least one other DSprocessing unit in accordance with a data segmentation approach, andaggregates data segments to produce the data in accordance with the datasegmentation approach.

FIG. 15B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data. Amethod begins with step 300 where a processing module (e.g., of adispersed storage (DS) processing unit) receives (e.g., from a userdevice, from a DS processing unit, from a DS unit) a data storagerequest message that includes upstream data. The upstream data mayinclude one or more of a data object, a data block, data, and one ormore data segments of data. The data storage request message may includeone or more of a data identifier (ID), the upstream data, a user deviceID, a vault ID, a source name, a stored portion indicator, a data sizeindicator, a data type indicator, a priority indicator, a securityindicator, and a performance indicator.

The method continues at step 302 where the processing module determinesa storage portion of the upstream data. The determination may be basedon one or more of a segmentation approach, a memory availabilityindicator, a memory availability threshold, the data size indicator, thestored portion indicator, a redundancy indicator, a predetermination,and a lookup. For example, the processing module determines the storageportion to be 1 megabyte (MB) when the memory availability indicator isgreater than the memory availability threshold and the segmentationapproach indicates to determine the storage portion to be 1 MB.

The method continues at step three for where the processing moduledetermines whether to form downstream data based on the storage portionand the upstream data. The determination may be based on one or more ofthe data size indicator, a stored portion indicator, the storageportion. For example, the processing module determines not to formdownstream data when a size of the storage portion is greater than orequal to a size of the upstream data. As another example, the processingmodule determines to form downstream data when the size of the storageportion is less than the size of the upstream data. The method branchesto step 312 when the processing module determines not to form downstreamdata. The method continues to step 306 when the processing moduledetermines to form downstream data.

The method continues at step 306 where the processing module determinesdownstream data based on the storage portion and the upstream data. Thedetermination may be based on one or more of the storage portion, theupstream data, the stored portion indicator, and a redundancy indicator.For example, the processing module determines the downstream data to bethe upstream data minus the storage portion when the redundancyindicator indicates no redundancy. As another example, the processingmodule determines the downstream data to be the upstream data minus thestorage portion plus at least some of the storage portion. The methodcontinues at step 308 where the processing module determines a recipientto receive the downstream data. The determination may be based on one ormore of the segmentation approach, a list, a query, and the message. Forexample, processing module determines the recipient to be DS unit 3 whenthe processing modules associated with DS unit 2. The method continuesat step 310 where the processing module sends the downstream data to therecipient.

The method continues at step 312 where the processing module determinesa DS unit storage set, where the DS unit storage set includes a pillarwidth number (e.g., n) of DS units. The determination may be based onone or more of the data manipulation approach, a list, a query, amessage, a DS unit capability indicator, a DS unit availabilityindicator, a network traffic indicator, a list, and a predetermination.For example, the processing module determines to utilize DS units thatare capable of dispersed storage error encoding the data segment toproduce at least one encoded data slice based on the DS unit capabilityindicator.

The method continues at step 314 where the processing module sends apillar width number of write request messages to DS units of the DS unitstorage set that includes the storage portion (e.g., a data segmentcorresponding to the processing module). For example, the processingmodule sends a data segment 1 to each DS unit of DS units 1-n. Inaddition, the processing module may update directory information and/ora data location table indicating storage locations associated with thedata.

FIG. 15C is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice. The method begins step 316 where a processing module(e.g., a dispersed storage (DS) unit) receives a write request messagethat includes a storage portion (e.g., a data segment). The storageportion may include one or more of a data object, a data block, data,and one or more data segments of data. For example, the processingmodule receives the write request message that includes a data segment.The data storage request message may include one or more of a dataidentifier (ID), the storage portion, a user device ID, a vault ID, a DSprocessing unit ID, error coding dispersal storage function parameters,pillar selection information, a data manipulation approach, a sourcename, a stored portion indicator, a data size indicator, a data typeindicator, a priority indicator, a security indicator, and a performanceindicator.

The method continues at step 318 where the processing module determinespillar selection information. The pillar selection information mayinclude pillar IDs of one or more pillars associated with the processingmodule such that the processing module stores or more slices encodedfrom the storage portion. The determination may be based on one or moreof pillar selection information received in the write request message, aperformance indicator, and available memory indicator, the storageportion, a predetermination, and a list. For example, the processingmodule determines the pillar selection information to include pillar 3when the processing module is associated with DS unit 3 such thatencoded at a slices of pillar 3 are typically stored in DS unit 3.

The method continues at step 320 where the processing module dispersedstorage error encodes the storage portion to produce a set of encodeddata slices in accordance with error coding dispersal storage functionparameters. For example, the processing module multiplies an encodingmatrix times the data portion to produce the set of encoded data slices.For instance, processing module utilizes an encoding matrix thatincludes a pillar width number of rows. As another instance, theprocessing module utilizes an encoding matrix that includes only one rowcorresponding to a slice number associated with the processing module inaccordance with the pillar selection information. In an example of suchan instance, the processing module utilizes an encoding matrix thatincludes row 3 when the processing module determines that the pillarselection information indicates a pillar 3 assignment (e.g., encodeddata slice 3).

The method continues at step 322 where the processing module selects oneor more encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produceselected encoded data slices based on the pillar selection information.For example, the processing module selects encoded data slice 3 when thepillar selection information includes selecting pillar 3.

The method continues at step 324 where the processing module stores theselected encoded data slices. For example, the processing module storesthe selected encoded data slices in a memory associated with theprocessing module (e.g., within a DS unit associated with the processingmodule). For instance, the processing module stores encoded data slice 3in a local memory of DS unit 3. As another example, the processingmodule stores the selected encoded data slice in another DS unit bysending a write request message to the another DS unit that includes theselected encoded data slice. The method continues at step 326 where theprocessing module updates directory information and/or a location table.

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system. The system includes a user device 12, a plurality ofdispersed storage (DS) processing units 1-N, a plurality of dispersedstorage network (DSN) memories 1-N that each include a plurality of DSunits 1-n. Alternatively, a plurality of DS processing modules and/or DSmodules may be utilized to implement the plurality of DS processingunits 1-N. Alternatively, the plurality of DSN memories 1-N may beimplemented with one DSN memory. Each DSN memory of the plurality of DSNmemories 1-N may include a different number of DS units when more thanone DSN memory is utilized.

In an example of operation, the user device 12 sends data 28 to DSprocessing unit 1 for storage in the plurality of DSN memories. DSprocessing unit 1 receives the data 280 and partitions the data 280 intoa first portion and a second portion in accordance with a segmentationapproach. Next, DS processing unit 1 manipulates the first portion (e.g.data segment 1) to create first manipulated data and sends the firstmanipulated data to DSN memory 1 for storage therein. Next, DSprocessing unit 1 sends the second portion to DS processing unit 2. DSprocessing unit 2 receives the second portion and partitions the secondportion into a third portion and a fourth portion in accordance with thesegmentation approach. Next, DS processing unit 2 manipulates the thirdportion (e.g. data segment 2) to create second manipulated data andsends the second manipulated data to DSN memory 2 for storage therein.Next, DS processing unit 2 sends the fourth portion to DS processingunit 3. DS processing units 3-(N−1) may operate in accordance with themethod described for DS processing unit 2. In the example of operationcontinued, DS processing unit N receives data segment N from DSprocessing unit N−1. Next, DS processing unit N manipulates data segmentN to create Nth manipulated data and sends the Nth manipulated data toDSN memory N for storage therein.

Each DS processing unit of the plurality of DS processing unitsmanipulates a corresponding data segment to create correspondingmanipulated data in accordance with a data manipulation approach. Next,the DS processing unit sends the manipulated data to one or more DSunits of a corresponding DSN memory in accordance with the datamanipulation approach. For example, DS processing unit 1 sends a decodethreshold number of sections (e.g., sections 1-k) of data segment 1 to acorresponding decode threshold number of DS units (e.g., DS units 1-k)of DSN memory 1. The DS processing unit and/or a DS unit may update adirectory and/or a storage location table subsequent to storing the datain the plurality of DSN memories. The method of operation of each of theplurality of DS processing units when the data manipulation approachindicates to send the decode threshold number of sections (e.g.,sections 1-k) of data segment 1 to the corresponding decode thresholdnumber of DS units of the DSN memory is described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 16B. A decode threshold number of DS unitscommunicates slice components with each other DS unit of the pluralityof DS units associated with a DSN memory to facilitate storing of apillar width number of encoded data slices in DS units 1-n of each DSNmemory of the plurality of DSN memories. The method of operation of eachof the DS units of the plurality of DS units when the data manipulationapproach indicates to send the decode threshold number of sections(e.g., sections 1-k) of data segment 1 to the corresponding decodethreshold number of DS units of the DSN memory is described in greaterdetail with reference to FIG. 16C-E.

In a data retrieval example of operation, each DS processing unitretrieves manipulated data from a corresponding DSN memory in accordancewith the data manipulation approach, decodes the manipulated data toproduce a corresponding data segment in accordance with the datamanipulation approach, sends the data segment to at least one other DSprocessing unit in accordance with a data segmentation approach, andaggregates data segments to produce the data in accordance with the datasegmentation approach.

FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data,which include similar steps to FIG. 15B. The method begins with steps300-304 of FIG. 15 B where a processing module (e.g., of a dispersedstorage (DS) processing unit) receives (e.g., from a user device, from aDS processing unit, from a DS unit) a data storage request message thatincludes upstream data, determines a storage portion (e.g., a datasegment) of the upstream data, and determines whether to form downstreamdata based on the storage portion. The method branches to step 328 whenthe processing module determines to not form downstream data. The methodcontinues to step 306 of FIG. 15B when the processing module determinesto form downstream data. The method continues with steps 306-310 of FIG.15B where the processing module determines downstream data based on thestorage portion and the upstream data, determines a recipient to receivethe downstream data, and sends the downstream data to the recipient whenthe processing module determines to form downstream data.

The method continues at step 328 where the processing module partitionsthe storage portion to produce a decode threshold number of segmentsections in accordance with error coded dispersal storage functionparameters and based on a data manipulation approach. For example, theprocessing module partitions the storage portion to produce the decodethreshold number of segment sections wherein each of the segmentsections is substantially the same size. For instance, the processingmodule partitions a 3 megabyte (MB) storage portion to produce threesegment sections wherein each of the segment sections is 1 MB when theerror coded dispersal storage function parameters indicate a decodethreshold of 3 and the data manipulation approach includes guidance tocreate and store the decode number of segment sections. The methodcontinues at step 312 of FIG. 15B where the processing module determinesa DS unit storage set.

The method continues at step 330 where the processing module determinesa decode threshold number of DS units of the DS unit storage set toproduce selected DS units. The determination may be based on one or moreof the data manipulation approach, a DS unit capability indicator, a DSunit availability indicator, a list, a message, and a query. The methodcontinues at step 332 where the processing module sends write requestmessages to the selected DS units that includes the decode thresholdnumber of segment sections. For example, the processing module sends awrite request message to DS unit 1 that includes segment section 1. Asanother example, the processing module sends a write request message toDS unit 2 that includes segment section 2. In addition, the processingmodule may update directory information and/or a storage location table.

FIG. 16C is an algorithm illustrating an example of encoding dataincluding a 5 by 3 generator matrix 334, a 3 by 1 data matrix 336, and aresulting 5 by 1 matrix 338 of encoded data slices 1-5. Such encodingmay be utilized to dispersed storage error encode data (e.g., a segmentsection, a data segment) to produce a set of encoded data slices. Theencoding of each slice of the set includes a plurality of intermediatesteps. For example, the 5 by 3 generator matrix 334 is multiplied timesthe 3 by 1 data matrix 336 to produce the 5 by 1 matrix of encoded dataslices 1-5. The example corresponds to error coded dispersal storagefunction parameters including a pillar width of 5 and a decode thresholdof 3. Each slice may be calculated by adding three products of an entryof the generator matrix times an entry of the data matrix. For instance,slice 1 is encoded as ax+by+cz. Note that a system security improvementmay be realized by subdividing the execution of the encoding of slicesbetween a plurality of processing modules. For example, note that theencoding of a slice 1 may be accomplished by adding three slicecomponents associated with slice 1 wherein three processing modulesmultiply a different column of the generator matrix times a differentportion of the data. As such, a security improvement may be provided byutilizing a plurality of processing modules to generate slices whereineach processing module only utilizes one column of the generator matrixand one portion of the data.

FIG. 16D is a processing module task map illustrating an example ofdetermining processing module assignments. For example, a processingmodule assignment to calculate a slice 1 is divided amongst threeprocessing modules. For instance, a processing module 1 associated witha DS unit 1 encodes the “ax” product as a slice component, a processingmodule 2 associated with a DS unit 2 encodes the “by” product as anotherslice component, and a processing module 3 associated with a DS unit 3encodes the “cz” product as another slice component. The processingmodule 1 may subsequently aggregate the three products (e.g., the threeslice components) to produce slice 1. Processing modules 1-3 are alsoassigned to subsequently encode the “dx”, “ey”, “fz”, “gx”, “hy”, “iz”,“jx”, “ky”, “lz”, “m×”, “ny”, and “oz” products wherein each processingmodule utilizes just one column of the generator matrix. A securityimprovement may be provided by limiting a particular processing moduleto one column of the encoding matrix.

FIG. 16E is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice, which include similar steps to FIG. 15B. The methodbegins with step 340 where a processing module (e.g., of a dispersedstorage (DS) unit associated with a decode threshold number of DS units)receives a write request message that includes a segment section. Thewrite storage request message may include one or more of a dataidentifier (ID), the segment section, a user device ID, a vault ID, a DSprocessing unit ID, error coding dispersal storage function parameters,pillar selection information, a data manipulation approach, a sourcename, a stored portion indicator, a data size indicator, a data typeindicator, a priority indicator, a security indicator, and a performanceindicator.

The method continues at step 342 where the processing module partiallydispersed storage error encodes the segment section to produce a set ofslice components. For example, the processing module multiplies thesegment section times a column of an encoding matrix to produce a pillarwidth number of slice components. As another instance, as illustrated inFIG. 16D, a processing module 1 associated with a DS unit 1 producescolumn 1 slice components of ax for slice 1, dx for slice 2, gx forslice 3, jx for slice 4, and mx for slice 5 when the pillar width is 5and the decode threshold is 3. As yet another instance, a processingmodule 2 associated with a DS unit 2 produces column 2 slice componentsof by for slice 1, ey for slice 2, by for slice 3, ky for slice 4, andny for slice 5 when the pillar width is 5 and the decode threshold is 3.As a still further instance, a processing module 3 associated with a DSunit 3 produces column 3 slice components of cz for slice 1, fz forslice 2, iz for slice 3, lz for slice 4, and oz for slice 5 when thepillar width is 5 and the decode threshold is 3.

The method continues at step 312 FIG. 15B where the processing moduledetermines a DS unit storage set. The method continues at step 344 wherethe processing module sends a set of write request messages to each DSunit (e.g., a pillar width number of DS units) of the DS unit storageset that includes the slice components (e.g., a pillar width number ofslice components). For example, the processing module 1 sends the set ofwrite request message to DS units 2-5 associated with column 1 of anencoding matrix, wherein the write request message to DS unit 2 includesa slice component corresponding to slice 2, the write request message toDS unit 3 includes a slice component corresponding to slice 3, the writerequest message to DS unit 4 includes a slice component corresponding toslice 4, and the write request message to DS unit 5 includes a slicecomponent corresponding to slice 5. As another example, the processingmodule 2 sends the set of write request message to DS units 1, 3-5associated with column 2 of an encoding matrix, wherein the writerequest message to DS unit 1 includes a slice component corresponding toslice 1, the write request message to DS unit 3 includes a slicecomponent corresponding to slice 3, the write request message to DS unit4 includes a slice component corresponding to slice 4, and the writerequest message to DS unit 5 includes a slice component corresponding toslice 5. As yet another example, the processing module 3 sends the setof write request message to DS units 1-2, 4-5 associated with column 3of an encoding matrix, wherein the write request message to DS unit 1includes a slice component corresponding to slice 1, the write requestmessage to DS unit 2 includes a slice component corresponding to slice2, the write request message to DS unit 4 includes a slice componentcorresponding to slice 4, and the write request message to DS unit 5includes a slice component corresponding to slice 5.

The method continues at step 346 where the processing module (e.g.,associated with each of the DS units of the DS unit storage set)receives write request messages that includes a decode threshold numberof slice components corresponding to a common slice. Each DS unit of thedecode threshold number of DS units provide at least one of the decodethreshold number of slice components to the same DS unit. For example,DS unit 1 receives write request messages from DS unit 2 and DS unit 3and utilizes an additional slice component with reference to slice 1created by DS unit 1. The method continues at step 348 where theprocessing module sums the slice components to produce an encoded dataslice. The method continues at step 350 where the processing modulestores encoded data slice. Next, the processing module updates directoryinformation and/or a storage location table.

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system. The system includes a user device 12, a plurality ofdispersed storage (DS) processing units 1-N, a plurality of dispersedstorage network (DSN) memories 1-N that each include a plurality of DSunits 1-n. Alternatively, a plurality of DS processing modules and/or DSmodules may be utilized to implement the plurality of DS processingunits 1-N. Alternatively, the plurality of DSN memories 1-N may beimplemented with one DSN memory. Each DSN memory of the plurality of DSNmemories 1-N may include a different number of DS units when more thanone DSN memory is utilized.

In an example of operation, the user device 12 sends data 280 to DSprocessing unit 1 for storage in the plurality of DSN memories. DSprocessing unit 1 receives the data 280 and partitions the data 280 intoa first portion and a second portion in accordance with a segmentationapproach. Next, DS processing unit 1 manipulates the first portion (e.g.data segment 1) to create first manipulated data and sends the firstmanipulated data to DSN memory 1 for storage therein. Next, DSprocessing unit 1 sends the second portion to DS processing unit 2. DSprocessing unit 2 receives the second portion and partitions the secondportion into a third portion and a fourth portion in accordance with thesegmentation approach. Next, DS processing unit 2 manipulates the thirdportion (e.g. data segment 2) to create second manipulated data andsends the second manipulated data to DSN memory 2 for storage therein.Next, DS processing unit 2 sends the fourth portion to DS processingunit 3. DS processing units 3-(N−1) may operate in accordance with themethod described for DS processing unit 2. In the example of operationcontinued, DS processing unit N receives data segment N from DSprocessing unit N−1. Next, DS processing unit N manipulates data segmentN to create Nth manipulated data and sends the Nth manipulated data toDSN memory N for storage therein.

Each DS processing unit of the plurality of DS processing unitsmanipulates a corresponding data segment to create correspondingmanipulated data in accordance with a data manipulation approach. Next,the DS processing unit sends the manipulated data to one or more DSunits of a corresponding DSN memory in accordance with the datamanipulation approach. For example, DS processing unit 1 sends datasegment 1 to a decode threshold number of DS units (e.g., DS units 1-k)of DSN memory 1. The DS processing unit and/or a DS unit may update adirectory and/or a storage location table subsequent to storing the datain the plurality of DSN memories. The method of operation of each of theplurality of DS processing units when the data manipulation approachindicates to send the data segment to the decode threshold number of DSunits of the DSN memory is described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 17B. Note that decode threshold number of DS units produce and sendslice partials to other DS unit (e.g., not of the decode thresholdnumber of DS units) of the plurality of DS units associated with a DSNmemory to facilitate storing of a pillar width number of encoded dataslices in DS units 1-n of each DSN memory of the plurality of DSNmemories. The method of operation of each of the DS units of theplurality of DS units when the data manipulation approach indicates tosend the data segment to the decode threshold number of DS units of theDSN memory is described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 17C-F.

In a data retrieval example of operation, each DS processing unitretrieves manipulated data from a corresponding DSN memory in accordancewith the data manipulation approach, decodes the manipulated data toproduce a corresponding data segment in accordance with the datamanipulation approach, sends the data segment to at least one other DSprocessing unit in accordance with a data segmentation approach, andaggregates data segments to produce the data in accordance with the datasegmentation approach.

FIG. 17B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing data,which include similar steps to FIG. 15B. The method begins with steps300-304 of FIG. 15B where a processing module (e.g., of a dispersedstorage (DS) processing unit) receives (e.g., from a user device, from aDS processing unit, from a DS unit) a data storage request message thatincludes upstream data, determines a storage portion (e.g., a datasegment) of the upstream data, and determines whether to form downstreamdata based on the storage portion. The method branches to step 312 ofFIG. 15B when the processing module determines to not form downstreamdata. The method continues to step 306 of FIG. 15B when the processingmodule determines to form downstream data. The method continues withsteps 306-310 of FIG. 15B where the processing module determinesdownstream data based on the storage portion and the upstream data,determines a recipient to receive the downstream data, and sends thedownstream data to the recipient when the processing module determinesto form downstream data.

The method continues with step 312 of FIG. 15B where the processingmodule determines a DS unit storage set. The method continues with step330 of FIG. 16B where the processing module determines a decodethreshold number of DS units of the DS unit storage set to produceselected DS units. The method continues at step 352 where the processingmodule sends write request messages to the selected DS units thatincludes the storage portion (e.g., a data segment corresponding to theprocessing module). For example, a processing module 1 of a dispersedstorage processing unit 1 sends a write request message to DS units 1-3that includes a data segment 1 as the storage portion when the decodethreshold is 3. In addition, the processing module may update directoryinformation and/or a storage location table.

FIG. 17C is an algorithm illustrating another example of encoding dataincluding a 5 by 3 generator matrix 334, a 3 by 1 data matrix 336, and aresulting 5 by 1 matrix 338 of encoded data slices 1-5. Such encodingmay be utilized to dispersed storage error encode data (e.g., a segmentsection, a data segment) to produce a set of encoded data slices. Theencoding of each slice of the set includes a plurality of intermediatesteps. For example, the 5 by 3 generator matrix 334 is multiplied timesthe 3 by 1 data matrix 336 to produce the 5 by 1 matrix of encoded dataslices 1-5. The example corresponds to error coded dispersal storagefunction parameters including a pillar width of 5 and a decode thresholdof 3. Each slice may be calculated by adding three products of an entryof the generator matrix times an entry of the data matrix. For instance,slice 1 is encoded as ax+by+cz. A system security improvement may berealized by subdividing the execution of the encoding of slices betweena plurality of processing modules. For example, the encoding of a slice1 requires multiplying row one of a generator matrix times the data. Assuch, a security improvement may be provided by utilizing a plurality ofprocessing modules to generate slices wherein each processing moduleonly utilizes one row of the generator matrix and the data.

FIG. 17D is a dispersed storage (DS) unit task map illustrating anotherexample of determining DS unit assignments. For example, a processingmodule assignment to calculate a slice 1 is assigned to processingmodule 1. For instance, processing module 1 associated with a DS unit 1encodes data by multiplying a first row of an encoding matrix times thedata to produce an “ax” product, a “by” product, and a “cz” product. Theprocessing module 1 may subsequently aggregate the three products (e.g.,the three slice components) to produce slice 1. Processing module 2associated with a DS unit 2 is assigned to create a slice 2, and aprocessing module 3 associated with a DS unit 3 is assigned to create aslice 3. Processing module 1 is assigned to create a slice partial4_(—)1 (e.g., to reproduce slice 4 utilizing information from slice 1),processing module 1 is assigned to create a slice partial 5_(—)1 (e.g.,to reproduce slice 5 utilizing information from slice 1), processingmodule 2 is assigned to create a slice partial 4_(—)2 (e.g., toreproduce slice 4 utilizing information from slice 2), processing module2 is assigned to create a slice partial 5_(—)2 (e.g., to reproduce slice5 utilizing information from slice 2), and processing module 3 isassigned to create a slice partial 4_(—)3 (e.g., to reproduce slice 4utilizing information from slice 3), processing module 3 is assigned tocreate a slice partial 5_(—)3 (e.g., to reproduce slice 5 utilizinginformation from slice 3). In an example of operation, processingmodules 1-3 send their two slice partials to processing modules 4-5associated with DS units 4-5. Next, processing module 4 decodes threereceived slice partials to produce slice 4 and processing module 5decodes three received slice partials to produce slice 5.

FIG. 17E is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice, which include similar steps to FIG. 16E. The methodbegins with step 340 of FIG. 16E where a processing module (e.g., of adispersed storage (DS) unit) receives a write request message thatincludes a segment. The method continues at step 354 where theprocessing module partially dispersed storage error encodes the segmentto produce an encoded data slice. For example, the processing modulemultiplies a row of an encoding matrix times the segment to produce theencoded data slice. The method continues at step 356 where theprocessing module determines remaining DS units. The remaining DS unitsmay be outside of a decode threshold number of DS units of a DS unitstorage set. The determination may be based on one or more of a message,a query, and a predetermination. The method continues at step 358 wherethe processing module generates a slice partial for each of theremaining DS units. The method continues at step 360 where theprocessing module sends the slice partials to the remaining DS units.

FIG. 17F is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice. The method begins with step 362 where a processingmodule receives a decode threshold number of slice partials (e.g., froma decode threshold number of dispersed storage (DS) units). The methodcontinues at step 364 where the processing module decodes the decodethreshold number of slice partials to produce an encoded data slice. Forexample, the processing module utilizes the logical XOR function toproduce the encoded data slice=slice partial 1 XOR slice partial 2 XORslice partial 3 etc. The method continues at step 366 where theprocessing module stores encoded data slice and updates directoryinformation and/or a storage location table.

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersedstorage (DS) unit 16 that includes a control module 370, a solid statememory 372, and a plurality of magnetic memories 1-M. The control module370 may be implemented utilizing a computing core 26. The solid-statememory may be implemented utilizing one or more memory devices utilizingone or more memory technologies including NAND Flash technology, staticrandom access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or anyother memory technology that provides low access latency with respect tomagnetic memory technology. The plurality of magnetic memories 1-N maybe implemented utilizing a hard disk drive magnetic media to providehigh capacity memory for slice storage and retrieval at a lower costthan the solid-state memory. Alternatively, optically based storage maybe utilized as the magnetic memories 1-M.

The control module 370 is operably coupled to the solid-state memory 372to facilitate reading and writing of storage information 376. Thestorage information 376 may include one or more of a slice name, sliceintegrity information, a magnetic memory identifier (ID), an offset, anencoded data slice, and metadata. The control module 370 is operablycoupled to the plurality of magnetic memories 1-M to facilitate readingand writing of encoded data slices.

In an example of operation, the control module 270 receives controlinformation 374 that includes one or more of a request opcode, a slicename, integrity information, and an encoded data slice 11. The controlmodule 370 obtains integrity information associated with the encodeddata slice (e.g., calculating a cyclic redundancy check over the encodeddata slice; receiving the integrity information as part of the controlinformation 374). The control module 270 determines a magnetic memory IDassociated with at least one of the magnetic memories of the pluralityof the magnetic memories 1-M to store the encoded data slice. Next, thecontrol module 370 stores the slice name, the integrity information andthe magnetic memory ID as storage information 376 in the solid-statememory. The control module 370 stores the encoded data slice 11 in themagnetic memory corresponding to the magnetic memory ID.

As another example of operation, the control module 270 receives controlinformation 374 indicating a read request from a requester that includesa slice name corresponding to an encoded data slice to be read. Thecontrol module 370 accesses the solid-state memory utilizing the slicename to retrieve integrity information associated with the encoded dataslice and a magnetic memory ID associated with storage of the encodeddata slice. The control module 370 retrieves the encoded data slice fromthe magnetic memory corresponding to the magnetic memory ID to produce aretrieved encoded data slice. The control module 370 generates integrityinformation of the retrieved encoded data slice (e.g., calculating acyclic redundancy check over the retrieved encoded data slice). Thecontrol module 270 determines whether the generated integrityinformation compares favorably to the retrieved integrity information(e.g., favorable when substantially the same). The control module 370sends the retrieved encoded data slice 11 to the requester as theencoded data slice 11 when the comparison is favorable. The method ofoperation is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS.18B-19D.

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice. The method begins with step 378 where a processingmodule (e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) unit) receives a write requestmessage that includes an encoded data slice for storage. The writerequest message may include one or more of the encoded data slice, aslice name, a source name, a user device identifier (ID), a data ID, aperformance indicator, and slice integrity information. The methodcontinues at step three where the processing module obtains integrityinformation associated with the encoded data slice. Such obtaining mayinclude one or more of receiving the slice integrity information as theintegrity information and calculating the integrity information (e.g.,utilizing a hash in function to compute a hash over the encoded dataslice).

The method continues at step 382 where the processing module determinesa magnetic memory for storing the encoded data slice to produce amagnetic memory ID. The determination may be based on one or more of amagnetic memory available capacity indicator, a magnetic memoryperformance indicator, a slice size indicator, and the performanceindicator. For example, the processing module determines to utilizemagnetic memory 3 when a magnetic memory performance indicatorassociated with memory 3 compares favorably with the performanceindicator. As another example, the processing module determines toutilize magnetic memory 5 when a magnetic memory available capacityindicator associated with memory 5 compares favorably to the slice sizeindicator.

The method continues at step 384 where the processing module determinesan offset within the magnetic memory for storing the encoded data slice.The determination may be based on one or more of a magnetic memoryavailable capacity indicator associated with the magnetic memory, amagnetic memory performance indicator associated with the magneticmemory, the slice size indicator, and a current offset associated withthe magnetic memory. For example, the processing module determines tostore the entire encoded data slice at an offset of 100 within magneticmemory 6 when the magnetic memory available capacity indicatorassociated with the magnetic memory 6 compares favorably to the slicesize indicator. As another example, the processing module determines tostore a first portion of the encoded data slice at an offset of 300within magnetic memory 6 and a remaining portion of the encoded dataslice at an offset of 4300 when the magnetic memory available capacityindicator associated with the magnetic memory 6 compares favorably tothe slice size indicator for two data blocks at offsets 300 and 4300.

The method continues at step 36 where the processing module aggregatesstorage information associated with the encoded data slice that includesthe integrity information. The method continues at step 388 where theprocessing module stores the encoded data slice at the offset in themagnetic memory corresponding to the magnetic memory ID. The methodcontinues at step 390 where the processing module stores the storageinformation in a solid-state memory.

FIG. 18C is a flowchart illustrating an example of retrieving an encodeddata slice. The method begins with step 392 where a processing module(e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) unit) receives a retrieval requestmessage from a requester to retrieve an encoded data slice associatedwith a slice name of the request. The retrieval request message mayinclude one or more of the slice name, a source name, a user deviceidentifier (ID), a data ID, a performance indicator, and slice integrityinformation. The method continues at step 394 where the processingmodule retrieves storage information from a solid-state memory based onthe slice name. For example, the processing module utilizes the slicename as an index into a table structure of storage information toretrieve the storage information.

The method continues at step 396 where the processing module extracts anoffset and a magnetic memory ID from the storage information. Next, theprocessing module retrieves an encoded data slice at the offset in amagnetic memory corresponding to the magnetic memory ID to produce aretrieved encoded data slice. The method continues at step 398 where theprocessing module determines calculated integrity informationcorresponding to the retrieved encoded data slice. For example, theprocessing module calculates a hash over the retrieved encoded dataslice to produce the calculated integrity information.

The method continues at step 400 where the processing module extractsintegrity information from the storage information. Next, the processingmodule determines whether the calculated integrity information comparesfavorably to the integrity information. For example, the processingmodule determines that the calculated integrity information comparesfavorably to the integrity information when the calculated integrityinformation is substantially the same as the integrity information. Themethod branches to step 404 when the processing module determines thatthe calculated integrity information compares favorably to the integrityinformation. The method continues to step 402 when the processing moduledetermines that the calculated integrity information comparesunfavorably to the integrity information.

The method continues at step 402 where the processing module facilitatesslice rebuilding when the calculated integrity information comparesunfavorably to the integrity information. For example, the processingmodule sends a rebuilding message to a storage integrity processing unitthat includes the slice name. As another example, the processing modulesends (e.g., to the requester and/or to a dispersed storage managingunit) an error message that includes the slice name. The methodcontinues at step 404 where the processing module sends the retrievedencoded data slice as the encoded data slice to the requester when thecalculated integrity information compares favorably to the integrityinformation.

FIG. 19A is a flowchart illustrating another example of storing anencoded data slice. The method begins with step 410 where a processingmodule (e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) module, of a DS unit) receives(e.g., from a user device, from a DS processing module, from a DSprocessing unit, from a DS unit) an encoded data slice for storage. Themethod continues at step 412 where the processing module obtainsmetadata associated with the encoded data slice. The metadata includesone or more of a slice name, an encoded data slice size indicator,integrity information, a data type, an estimated access frequency, apriority requirement, a performance requirement, and a user identifier(ID). The obtaining includes at least one of receiving the metadata(e.g., with the encoded data slice), generating at least a portion ofthe metadata based on the encoded data slice, retrieving the metadata,outputting a query to request the metadata, and receiving a message thatincludes the metadata.

The method continues at step 414 where the processing module interpretsthe metadata to determine whether the encoded data slice is to be storedin a first access speed memory or a second access speed memory, whereinthe first access speed memory has a higher data access rate than thesecond access speed memory. For example, the first access speed memoryincludes a plurality of solid-state memory devices and the second accessspeed memory includes one or more hard drive memory devices.

The interpreting the metadata includes at least one of interpreting themetadata to determine an estimated access frequency of the encoded dataslice, wherein, when the estimated access frequency compares favorablyto an access frequency threshold (e.g., favorable when the estimatedaccess frequency is greater than the access frequency threshold),indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in the firstaccess speed memory, interpreting the metadata to determine a data typeof the encoded data slice, wherein, when the data type is a first datatype, indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in thefirst access speed memory, interpreting the metadata to determine a useridentifier of the encoded data slice, wherein, when the user identifieris a first user type, indicating that the encoded data slice is to bestored in the first access speed memory, interpreting the metadata todetermine a priority requirement of the encoded data slice, wherein,when the priority requirement is a first priority type, indicating thatthe encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speed memory,and interpreting the metadata to determine a performance requirement ofthe encoded data slice, wherein, when the performance requirement is afirst performance type (e.g., above average performance), indicatingthat the encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speedmemory.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the processing module interprets themetadata to determine whether the encoded data slice is to be stored inthe first access speed memory, the second access speed memory, or athird access speed memory, wherein the second access speed memory has ahigher data access rate than the third access speed memory and storesthe encoded data slice in a memory device of the third access speedmemory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the third accessspeed memory.

The method branches to step 418 when the processing module determinesthat the encoded data slice is to be stored in the second access speedmemory. The method continues to step 416 when the processing moduledetermines that the encoded data slice is to be stored in the firstaccess speed memory. The method continues at step 416 where theprocessing module facilitates storing the encoded data slice in a memorydevice of the first access speed memory when the encoded data slice isto be stored in the first access speed memory. The facilitating includesat least one of storing the encoded data slice in the memory device ofthe first access speed memory, sending the encoded data slice to thememory device of the first access speed memory, and outputting theencoded data slice to intermediary processing module for storage in thememory device of the first access speed memory. Such facilitating mayapply to one or more of storing, sending, receiving, transferring, andretrieving.

The method continues at step 418 where the processing module facilitatesstoring the encoded data slice in a memory device of the second accessspeed memory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the secondaccess speed memory. The method continues at step 420 where theprocessing module generates storage information to include one or moreof a slice name associated with the encoded data slice, a memory deviceidentifier (ID) of the memory device of the first or the second accessspeed memory, a memory device storage location associated with thestoring of the encoded data slice (e.g., an offset), and at least someof the metadata. The method continues at step 422 where the processingmodule stores the storage information in an information memory device ofthe first access speed memory. For sample, the processing module storesthe storage information in the memory device of the first access speedmemory.

The method continues at step 424 where the processing module retrievesthe storage information from the information memory device. Theretrieving may include at least one of determining to retrieve thestorage information (e.g., based on one or more of a timer expiration,access of the encoded data slice, a request), outputting a request forthe storage information to the information memory device, and receivingthe storage information from the information memory device. The methodcontinues at step 426 where the processing module updates the storageinformation based on one or more of historical access information, areprioritization message, and updated metadata to produce updatedstorage information. For example, the processing module updates thestorage information to include historical access information thatincludes an actual data access frequency. As another example, theprocessing module updates to storage information to include an elevationof a priority level based on receiving the reprioritization message. Themethod continues at step 428 or the processing module stores the updatedstorage information in the information memory device. The updatedstorage information maybe subsequently utilized to determine whether totransfer the encoded data slice between the memory device of the firstaccess speed memory and the memory device of the second access speedmemory. A method to determine whether to transfer the encoded data sliceis discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 19B.

FIG. 19B is a flowchart illustrating an example of transferring anencoded data slice. The method begins with step 430 where a processingmodule (e.g., of a dispersed storage (DS) module, of a DS unit) obtainsdata access frequency information regarding a stored encoded data slice.The data access frequency information includes one or more of readrequests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a given timeperiod, write requests regarding the stored encoded data slice within atime frame, duration of storage of the stored encoded data slice, datasize of the stored encoded data slice, and memory availability.

The method continues at step 432 where the processing module transfersthe stored encoded data slice from a first access speed memory to asecond access speed memory when the stored encoded data slice is storedin the first access speed memory and the data access frequencyinformation compares unfavorably to a first access frequency thresholdwherein the first access speed memory has a higher data access rate thanthe second access speed memory. The data access frequency informationcomparing unfavorably to the first access frequency threshold includesone or more of quantity of read requests regarding the stored encodeddata slice within a given time period compares unfavorably to a readrequest threshold (e.g., unfavorable when read requests regarding thestored encoded data slice within the given time period is less than thefirst read request threshold of the first access frequency threshold),quantity of write requests regarding the stored encoded data slicewithin a time frame compares unfavorably to a read request threshold,duration of storage of the stored encoded data slice in the first accessspeed memory compares unfavorably to a storage duration threshold, anddata size of the stored encoded data slice and memory availability ofthe first access speed memory compares unfavorably to a storageavailability threshold.

The method continues at step 432 where the processing module transfersthe stored encoded data slice from the second access speed memory to thefirst access speed memory when the stored encoded data slice is storedin the second access speed memory and the data access frequencyinformation compares favorably to a second access frequency threshold.The data access frequency information comparing favorably to the secondaccess frequency threshold includes one or more of quantity of readrequests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a given timeperiod compares favorably to a read request threshold (e.g., favorablewhen read requests regarding the stored encoded data slice within thegiven time period is greater than the read request threshold of thesecond access frequency threshold), and quantity of write requestsregarding the stored encoded data slice within a time frame comparesfavorably to a read request threshold.

FIG. 19C is a block diagram of another storing module 231 that operatesin accordance with the method described in FIG. 19A. The storing module231 is a module that includes one or more sub-modules, which include areceive module 233, a determine memory module 235, a data storing module237, a generate storage information module 239, an update storageinformation module 241, and a store storage information module 243.

The receive module 233 facilitates receiving (e.g., from a dispersedstorage (DS) processing unit 16) an encoded data slice 253 for storage.The determine memory module 235 obtains metadata associated with theencoded data slice 253. The determine memory module 235 interprets themetadata to determine whether the encoded data slice 253 is to be storedin a first access speed memory 245 (e.g., the first access speed memorymay include a plurality of solid-state memory devices) or a secondaccess speed memory 247 (e.g., the second access speed memory includesone or more hard drive memory devices), wherein the first access speedmemory has a higher data access rate than the second access speedmemory. Alternatively, the determine memory module 235 module interpretsthe metadata to determine whether the encoded data slice is to be storedin the first access speed memory 245, the second access speed memory247, a third access speed memory 249, or up through an Nth access speedmemory 251, wherein the second access speed memory 247 has a higher dataaccess rate than the third access speed memory 249.

The determine memory module 235 interprets the metadata by one or moreof interpreting the metadata to determine an estimated access frequencyof the encoded data slice 253, wherein, when the estimated accessfrequency compares favorably to an access frequency threshold,indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in the firstaccess speed memory 245; interpreting the metadata to determine a datatype of the encoded data slice 253, wherein, when the data type is afirst data type, indicating that the encoded data slice is to be storedin the first access speed memory 245; interpreting the metadata todetermine a user identifier of the encoded data slice, wherein, when theuser identifier is a first user type, indicating that the encoded dataslice 253 is to be stored in the first access speed memory 245;interpreting the metadata to determine a priority requirement of theencoded data slice, wherein, when the priority requirement is a firstpriority type, indicating that the encoded data slice 253 is to bestored in the first access speed memory 245; and interpreting themetadata to determine a performance requirement of the encoded dataslice, wherein, when the performance requirement is a first performancetype, indicating that the encoded data slice 253 is to be stored in thefirst access speed memory 245.

The data storing module 237 facilitates storing the encoded data slice253 in a memory device of the first access speed memory 245 when theencoded data slice 253 is to be stored in the first access speed memory245 and facilitates storing the encoded data slice in a memory device ofthe second access speed memory 247 when the encoded data slice 253 is tobe stored in the second access speed memory 247. Alternatively, the datastoring module 237 facilitates storing the encoded data slice 253 in amemory device of the third access speed memory 249 when the encoded dataslice 253 is to be stored in the third access speed memory 249.

The generate storage information module 239 generates storageinformation 255 to include one or more of a slice name associated withthe encoded data slice 253, a memory device identifier (ID) of thememory device of the first or the second access speed memory, a memorydevice storage location associated with the storing of the encoded dataslice, and at least some of the metadata. The update storage informationmodule 241 retrieves the storage information 257 (e.g. previouslystored), from an information memory device 263 and updates the storageinformation 257 based on one or more of historical access information, areprioritization message, and updated metadata to produce updatedstorage information 259. The information memory device 263 may beimplemented as a separate memory device and/or as any one of the firstaccess speed memory 245 through the Nth access speed memory 251. Thestore storage information module 243 facilitates storing the storageinformation to 255 in the information memory device 263. For example,the store storage information module 243 stores for storage information255 in the first access speed memory 245 when the first access speedmemory 245 serves as the information memory device 263. Alternatively,the store storage information module 243 stores the updated storageinformation 259 in the information memory device 263 as updated storageinformation 261.

FIG. 19D is a block diagram of another storing module 271 that operatesin accordance with the method described in FIG. 19B. The storing module271 is a module that includes one or more sub-modules, which include anobtain data access frequency information module 273 and a slice transfermodule 275.

The obtain data access frequency information module 273 contains dataaccess frequency information regarding a stored encoded data slice 253.The data access frequency information includes one or more of readrequests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a given timeperiod, write requests regarding the stored encoded data slice within atime frame, duration of storage of the stored encoded data slice, datasize of the stored encoded data slice, and memory availability.

The slice transfer module 275 facilitates transferring the storedencoded data slice 253 from a memory of a first access speed memory to245, a second access speed memory 247, a third access speed memory 249,through an Nth access speed memory 251 to a different memory of thememories 245-251. For example, the slice transfer module 275 facilitatestransferring of the encoded data slice 253 from the first access speedmemory 245 to the second access speed memory 247 when the stored encodeddata slice 253 is stored in the first access speed memory 245 and thedata access frequency information 277 compares unfavorably to a firstaccess frequency threshold, wherein the first access speed memory 245has a higher data access rate than the second access speed memory 247.As another example, the slice transfer module 275 facilitatestransferring of the encoded data slice 253 the stored encoded data slice253 from the second access speed memory 247 to the first access speedmemory to 45 when the stored encoded data slice 253 is stored in thesecond access speed memory 247 and the data access frequency information277 compares favorably to a second access frequency threshold.

The data access frequency information 277 comparing unfavorably to thefirst access frequency threshold includes one or more of quantity ofread requests regarding the stored encoded data slice 253 within a giventime period compares unfavorably to a read request threshold, quantityof write requests regarding the stored encoded data slice 253 within atime frame compares unfavorably to a read request threshold, duration ofstorage of the stored encoded data slice 253 in the first access speedmemory 245 compares unfavorably to a storage duration threshold, anddata size of the stored encoded data slice 253 and memory availabilityof the first access speed memory 245 compares unfavorably to a storageavailability threshold. The data access frequency information 277comparing favorably to the second access frequency threshold includesone or more of quantity of read requests regarding the stored encodeddata slice within a given time period compares favorably to a readrequest threshold and quantity of write requests regarding the storedencoded data slice within a time frame compares favorably to a readrequest threshold.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device ora plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memoryand/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memorydevice, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry ofanother processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processingunit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that if the processing module, module,processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, theboundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could bedefined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriatelyperformed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarilydefined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To theextent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could havebeen defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the artwill also recognize that the functional building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof.

The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, interms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present inventionis used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, afeature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. Aphysical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, amachine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention mayinclude one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc.described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporatethe same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may usethe same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions,steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps,modules, etc. or different ones.

While the transistors in the above described figure(s) is/are shown asfield effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, the transistors may be implemented using any type oftransistor structure including, but not limited to, bipolar, metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors,P-well transistors, enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltagethreshold (VT) transistors.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of the various embodimentsof the present invention. A module includes a processing module, afunctional block, hardware, and/or software stored on memory forperforming one or more functions as may be described herein. Note that,if the module is implemented via hardware, the hardware may operateindependently and/or in conjunction software and/or firmware. As usedherein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which maybe one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of thepresent invention have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

1. A method for execution by a dispersed storage (DS) module, the methodcomprises: receiving an encoded data slice for storage; obtainingmetadata associated with the encoded data slice; interpreting themetadata to determine whether the encoded data slice is to be stored ina first access speed memory or a second access speed memory, wherein thefirst access speed memory has a higher data access rate than the secondaccess speed memory; storing the encoded data slice in a memory deviceof the first access speed memory when the encoded data slice is to bestored in the first access speed memory; and storing the encoded dataslice in a memory device of the second access speed memory when theencoded data slice is to be stored in the second access speed memory. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the interpreting the metadata comprisesat least one of: interpreting the metadata to determine an estimatedaccess frequency of the encoded data slice, wherein, when the estimatedaccess frequency compares favorably to an access frequency threshold,indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in the firstaccess speed memory; interpreting the metadata to determine a data typeof the encoded data slice, wherein, when the data type is a first datatype, indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in thefirst access speed memory; interpreting the metadata to determine a useridentifier of the encoded data slice, wherein, when the user identifieris a first user type, indicating that the encoded data slice is to bestored in the first access speed memory; interpreting the metadata todetermine a priority requirement of the encoded data slice, wherein,when the priority requirement is a first priority type, indicating thatthe encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speed memory;and interpreting the metadata to determine a performance requirement ofthe encoded data slice, wherein, when the performance requirement is afirst performance type, indicating that the encoded data slice is to bestored in the first access speed memory.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprises: the first access speed memory includes a plurality ofsolid-state memory devices; and the second access speed memory includesone or more hard drive memory devices.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprises: generating storage information to include one or more of: aslice name associated with the encoded data slice; a memory deviceidentifier (ID) of the memory device of the first or the second accessspeed memory; a memory device storage location associated with thestoring of the encoded data slice; and at least some of the metadata;and storing the storage information in an information memory device ofthe first access speed memory.
 5. The method of claim 4 furthercomprises: retrieving the storage information from the informationmemory device; updating the storage information based on one or more ofhistorical access information, a reprioritization message, and updatedmetadata to produce updated storage information; and storing the updatedstorage information in the information memory device.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprises: interpreting the metadata to determinewhether the encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speedmemory, the second access speed memory, or a third access speed memory,wherein the second access speed memory has a higher data access ratethan the third access speed memory; and storing the encoded data slicein a memory device of the third access speed memory when the encodeddata slice is to be stored in the third access speed memory.
 7. A methodfor execution by a dispersed storage (DS) module, the method comprises:obtaining data access frequency information regarding a stored encodeddata slice; when the stored encoded data slice is stored in a firstaccess speed memory and the data access frequency information comparesunfavorably to a first access frequency threshold, transferring thestored encoded data slice from the first access speed memory to thesecond access speed memory, wherein the first access speed memory has ahigher data access rate than the second access speed memory; and whenthe stored encoded data slice is stored in the second access speedmemory and the data access frequency information compares favorably to asecond access frequency threshold, transferring the stored encoded dataslice from the second access speed memory to the first access speedmemory.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data access frequencyinformation comprises one or more of: read requests regarding the storedencoded data slice within a given time period; write requests regardingthe stored encoded data slice within a time frame; duration of storageof the stored encoded data slice; data size of the stored encoded dataslice; and memory availability.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein thedata access frequency information comparing unfavorably to the firstaccess frequency threshold comprises one or more of: quantity of readrequests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a given timeperiod compares unfavorably to a read request threshold; quantity ofwrite requests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a timeframe compares unfavorably to a read request threshold; duration ofstorage of the stored encoded data slice in the first access speedmemory compares unfavorably to a storage duration threshold; and datasize of the stored encoded data slice and memory availability of thefirst access speed memory compares unfavorably to a storage availabilitythreshold.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the data access frequencyinformation comparing favorably to the second access frequency thresholdcomprises one or more of: quantity of read requests regarding the storedencoded data slice within a given time period compares favorably to aread request threshold; and quantity of write requests regarding thestored encoded data slice within a time frame compares favorably to aread request threshold.
 11. A dispersed storage (DS) module comprises: afirst module for facilitating receiving an encoded data slice forstorage; a second module for: obtaining metadata associated with theencoded data slice; and interpreting the metadata to determine whetherthe encoded data slice is to be stored in a first access speed memory ora second access speed memory, wherein the first access speed memory hasa higher data access rate than the second access speed memory; and athird module for: facilitating storing the encoded data slice in amemory device of the first access speed memory when the encoded dataslice is to be stored in the first access speed memory; and facilitatingstoring the encoded data slice in a memory device of the second accessspeed memory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the secondaccess speed memory.
 12. The DS module of claim 11, wherein the secondmodule is further operable to interpret the metadata by one or more of:interpreting the metadata to determine an estimated access frequency ofthe encoded data slice, wherein, when the estimated access frequencycompares favorably to an access frequency threshold, indicating that theencoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speed memory;interpreting the metadata to determine a data type of the encoded dataslice, wherein, when the data type is a first data type, indicating thatthe encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speed memory;interpreting the metadata to determine a user identifier of the encodeddata slice, wherein, when the user identifier is a first user type,indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in the firstaccess speed memory; interpreting the metadata to determine a priorityrequirement of the encoded data slice, wherein, when the priorityrequirement is a first priority type, indicating that the encoded dataslice is to be stored in the first access speed memory; and interpretingthe metadata to determine a performance requirement of the encoded dataslice, wherein, when the performance requirement is a first performancetype, indicating that the encoded data slice is to be stored in thefirst access speed memory.
 13. The DS module of claim 11 furthercomprises: the first access speed memory includes a plurality ofsolid-state memory devices; and the second access speed memory includesone or more hard drive memory devices.
 14. The DS module of claim 11further comprises: a fourth module for generating storage information toinclude one or more of: a slice name associated with the encoded dataslice; a memory device identifier (ID) of the memory device of the firstor the second access speed memory; a memory device storage locationassociated with the storing of the encoded data slice; and at least someof the metadata; and a fifth module for facilitating storing the storageinformation in an information memory device of the first access speedmemory.
 15. The DS module of claim 14 further comprises: a sixth modulefor: retrieving the storage information from the information memorydevice; updating the storage information based on one or more ofhistorical access information, a reprioritization message, and updatedmetadata to produce updated storage information; and a seventh modulefor facilitating storing the updated storage information in theinformation memory device.
 16. The DS module of claim 11 furthercomprises: a fourth module for interpreting the metadata to determinewhether the encoded data slice is to be stored in the first access speedmemory, the second access speed memory, or a third access speed memory,wherein the second access speed memory has a higher data access ratethan the third access speed memory; and a fifth module for facilitatingstoring the encoded data slice in a memory device of the third accessspeed memory when the encoded data slice is to be stored in the thirdaccess speed memory.
 17. A dispersed storage (DS) module comprises: afirst module for obtaining data access frequency information regarding astored encoded data slice; a second module for: facilitatingtransferring the stored encoded data slice from the first access speedmemory to the second access speed memory when the stored encoded dataslice is stored in a first access speed memory and the data accessfrequency information compares unfavorably to a first access frequencythreshold, wherein the first access speed memory has a higher dataaccess rate than the second access speed memory; and facilitatingtransferring the stored encoded data slice from the second access speedmemory to the first access speed memory when the stored encoded dataslice is stored in the second access speed memory and the data accessfrequency information compares favorably to a second access frequencythreshold.
 18. The DS module of claim 17, wherein the data accessfrequency information comprises one or more of: read requests regardingthe stored encoded data slice within a given time period; write requestsregarding the stored encoded data slice within a time frame; duration ofstorage of the stored encoded data slice; data size of the storedencoded data slice; and memory availability.
 19. The DS module of claim17, wherein the data access frequency information comparing unfavorablyto the first access frequency threshold comprises one or more of:quantity of read requests regarding the stored encoded data slice withina given time period compares unfavorably to a read request threshold;quantity of write requests regarding the stored encoded data slicewithin a time frame compares unfavorably to a read request threshold;duration of storage of the stored encoded data slice in the first accessspeed memory compares unfavorably to a storage duration threshold; anddata size of the stored encoded data slice and memory availability ofthe first access speed memory compares unfavorably to a storageavailability threshold.
 20. The DS module of claim 17, wherein the dataaccess frequency information comparing favorably to the second accessfrequency threshold comprises one or more of: quantity of read requestsregarding the stored encoded data slice within a given time periodcompares favorably to a read request threshold; and quantity of writerequests regarding the stored encoded data slice within a time framecompares favorably to a read request threshold.